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December 18, 2014

We support Governor Haslam’s Insure Tennessee plan and congratulate him for bringing it forward. For twenty-five years, the Tennessee Health Care Campaign has supported a mission for affordable and accessible health care for all Tennesseans. We have met thousands of people who need insurance they can afford. The economy and our health care institutions will be strengthened by healthier families. We are pleased the Governor notes the difficulty of low-income people finding affordable insurance, including a majority who are working people; the plan will also provide temporary care for people with disabilities, caregivers for chronically-ill family members, the temporarily unemployed and underemployed, and others. Research shows that the plan could contribute to creating jobs for those needing work and to others in search of good jobs. This is an opportunity for people in the state to reach across differences and bring about long-term solutions to health care problems. A major change can come in the quality of life of Tennesseans. We welcome a broad commitment by the Governor and many organizations and communities across the state to work for a healthier Tennessee. We stand with them. We will study the details of Insure Tennessee but we welcome that federal funds will be utilized to bring coverage to hundreds of thousands who have been unable to find affordable care. This decision by the Governor is a win for Tennessee families and deserves support in the special session of the legislature. Walter Davis Executive Director Tennessee Health Care Campaign