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Tennessee health insurance exchange
Governor says lack of information prompted rejection of state-run health insurance exchange
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By Carla Anderson
healthinsurance.orgTM contributor
In December 2012, Gov. Bill Haslam announced Tennessee would not develop its own health insurance exchange. Haslam cited the lack of information from the federal government as his main reason for not proceeding with a state-run exchange.
Prior to his 2012 announcement, Haslam had leaned toward a state-run exchange. He believed local state control was preferable and that the state could run the exchange more cost-effectively that the federal government. His opinion seemed consistent with public sentiment. A 2011 executive summary of stakeholder feedback to the Tennessee Insurance Exchange Planning Initiative stated “no stakeholder group with which we have met has indicated that it prefers a federally-run exchange rather than one operated by the State.” However, Republican legislators opposed the exchange, and Tea Party supporters staged repeated protests.
Approximately 16 percent of the population in Tennessee is uninsured according to the Kaiser Family Foundation.
Updated May 11, 2013
More Tennessee health insurance exchange links
Tennessee Insurance Exchange Planning Initiative
Health Assist Tennessee
Helps connect Tennesseans with public and private programs to meet health care needs and assists TennCare members with access to medical care.
State Exchange Profile: Tennessee
The Henry J. Kaiser Family Foundation overview of Tennessee’s progress toward creating a state health insurance exchange.
Affordable Care Act in Your State: Tennessee
Tennessee health insurance guide
Tennessee resources
Health insurance information, stats, news, quotes and more.
Voice your concerns to your
Tennessee elected officials:
Let your Tennessee governor and legislators know how you feel about the state's proposed health insurance exchange.
Tennessee Governor Bill HaslamTennessee State Capitol
Nashville, TN 37243-0001
PHONE: 615-741.2001
FAX: 615-532-9711
Contact by e-mail
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Contact your Tennessee State Representative
Related news: TN health insurance exchange
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12/05/2012 10:12 PM -- Associated Press — With the state officially undecided on a model for a health insurance exchange, Tea Party members, Republican state legislators and talk show hosts held a rally to voice their opposition to the state-run option.
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Tennessee on wrong track with health exchange
03/22/2012 7:03 PM -- The Tennessean–this editorial argues that Tennessee should not develop its own exchange, arguing that there is no difference between a state-created exchange and a federally mandated one, there is too much political uncertainty, and it’s too expensive.
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03/22/2012 12:03 AM -- Nashville Public Radio–Tennessee’s Republican leaders are praising the federal government’s decision to delay the deadline for states to implement state-run exchanges in order to receive federal grants.
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09/27/2011 5:09 PM -- Knoxville News – Tennessee residents hear details of how a health insurance exchange will work.
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