Burks votes against TennCare cuts

Area News

March 10, 2010

Anonymous The Crossville Chronicle Wed Mar 10, 2010, 03:00 PM CST

State Sen. Charlotte Burks (D-Monterey) voted against a proposed $200 million cut in TennCare, saying she can’t support reductions that will devastate rural families in her district.

“While I respect the job TennCare officials have done in bringing past spending problems under control, I can’t sit back and vote for this budget as hurting families lose their health care,” Burks said.

Burks voted against the budget in the Senate Commerce, Labor and Agriculture Committee. She was joined by state Sen. Eric Stewart (D-Belvidere) in voting against the budget, which passed the committee 7-2 on March 2.

The proposed budget would cut approximately $200 million from TennCare and impose new restrictions on the 1.2 million Tennesseans covered by the program, including a $10,000 cap for hospital stays and no reimbursements for physical, speech and occupational therapy.

The planned reductions and those made in past years have hurt rural community hospitals that continue to treat patients who have been cut from TennCare, despite the fact the hospitals no longer receive TennCare reimbursements for the treatment.

“If our rural hospitals continue to lose money, there is a chance they could close,” Burks said. “Then what happens to the families who depend on these facilities for their health care? We have to do better for them.”

The Tennessee General Assembly is continuing to discuss the state budget in Nashville this week.

Text Only

Area News

Satsuma Dr. annexation on council agenda
The Crossville City Council will discuss an annexation and abutment project for 29 parcels of property on Satsuma Dr. when it meets today at 4 p.m.

February 14, 2012
Early voting period begins Wednesday
February 14, 2012
Looking Back
A weekly historical news feature.

February 14, 2012
Chronicle honored by ACS with media excellence award
The American Cancer Society is pleased to announce that the Crossville Chronicle has been recognized with the Lighthouse Award for Media Excellence in Tennessee by the American Cancer Society’s Mid-South Division.

February 13, 2012 1 Photo
Snow delays county tourney
February 13, 2012 1 Photo
Home invasion under investigation
Cumberland County sheriff's investigators are looking for three Overton Couny men in connection with an alleged home invasion that took place Sunday night in the Mayland area, according to reports.

February 13, 2012
Information sought on killing of two bald eagles
Approximately one year ago, in February 2011, a mature bald eagle was shot and killed in Bledsoe County, about one mile east of the intersection of Hwy. 101 and Big Springs Gap Road. A few weeks later, about 30 miles away, a second mature bald eagle was shot and killed in Cumberland County, east of Crossville in Crab Orchard. The eagle was discovered near the Crab Orchard School adjacent to Main St., close to the Old Easley Swimming Hole.

February 13, 2012
County OKs advertising funds for gun show
County commissioners on the budget committee approved a $2,113 amendment to pay for advertising costs for the Cumberland County Gun and Knife Show.

February 11, 2012
CMC to launch community health study
Cumberland Medical Center, with collaboration from other local health professionals, is working on a road map to health for the people of Cumberland County, identifying public health needs, goals, objectives and priorities.

February 11, 2012
Synthetic drugs ordinance now in effect
The Crossville City Council unanimously approved the third and final reading of two ordinances designed to police the sale and consumption of synthetic marijuana, bath salts and other synthetic materials within the city of Crossville.

February 11, 2012
More Area News Headlines

Area News

Search Results

Burks votes against TennCare cuts

Site Map

Contact Us