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Bill Haslam on Homeland Security
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ObamaCare costs TN $350M; cut but preserve rural hospitals
In this budget, TennCare costs will be $350 million more this year than last year. That increase takes into account the higher cost of medical care, more people who qualify for Medicaid in tough economic times, and primarily, the impact of the
Affordable Care Act. Expanding Medicaid is not reflected in this year's budget. I am hesitant to commit additional dollars to Medicaid when it's already eating up so much of our budget, and we have to remember what the state went through seven years ago
when it made the difficult decision to cut a lot of people from the TennCare rolls. There are hospitals across this state, many of them in rural communities, that are going to struggle if not close under the health care law without expansion, and
that's not something to take lightly. Most of us in this room don't like the Affordable Care Act, but the decision to expand Medicaid isn't as basic as saying, "No ObamaCare, No expansion."
Source: 2013 State of the State speech to Tennessee legislature
, Jan 28, 2013
Only 1% of our country serves to keep the rest of us free
One thing that the rest of the country and the whole world already know us for is our well-deserved reputation for being the Volunteer State. Today, many of our Tennessee volunteers are going to far away lands, away from family and friends, protecting th
freedoms that we hold dear. The men and women of Tennessee, who serve in the military, are on the front line in the war against terror. Since September 11, 2001, more than 20,000 men and women in the Tennessee National Guard--Army and Air Force--have
been called to serve. While many have served, some gave their last, full measure. Since 2001, 136 Tennesseans--men and women--have lost their lives. Please join me in a moment of silence in recognition of those who are called to serve and in honor of
those who gave their lives to protect and preserve our freedoms. Thank you. The reality is that less than one percent of our country serves in our voluntary armed forces in order to keep the rest of us free and secure. For that, we should all be grateful
Source: 2011 State of the State speech to Tennessee legislature
, Mar 14, 2011
Page last updated: Mar 09, 2019
