NASHVILLE -- Insure Tennessee failed in the senate commerce committee this afternoon
The vote was 6-2 against with one abstention.
Sen. Todd Gardenhire, R-Chattanooga, and Sen. Bo Watson, R-Hixson, voted against the measure that sought to use federal dollars under the Affordable Care Act to extend health insurance coverage to an estimated 280,000 low-income Tennesseans.
After presentations by two Republican senators, including the resolution's sponsor, Sen. Doug Overbey, R-Maryville, only one committee member, Sen. Dolores Gresham, R-Somerville, asked a question.
Overbey closed and the panel quickly voted without discussion.
Until then, the committee room, packed with supporters, had kept quiet. Afterwards, one man shouted, "I hope you people realize how many people you sentenced to die today."
A woman yelled, "Vote 'em out."
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