Fitzhugh should check on details
In the article “Gov. Haslam to rely on Dems for Medicaid reform” appearing Jan. 8, House Minority Leader Craig Fitzhugh, D-Ripley, is quoted questioning whether or not the proposed vouchers in the governor’s Volunteer Plan could be used by someone to purchase plans on the federal marketplace exchange. Rep. Fitzhugh must first know what is in the Affordable Care Act (Obamacare) before questioning the governor’s plan. His question implies that much like our federal Democratic legislators who approved the legislation without reading it, he also may need a primer on the law. The federal exchange is available to individuals whose income is between 138 and 400 percent of the federal poverty level. Gov. Haslam’s proposal deals with individuals whose personal or family income is below 138 percent of the federal poverty level. To answer the minority leader’s question, if an employer does not offer insurance, then an individual could apply for the governor’s other track, the Healthy Incentives Plan, again assuming income is below 138 percent of federal poverty level.
MICHAEL JAMES ZEMA
Junior Scouts back Obama college plan
We are fourth-graders from Junior Girl Scout Troop 40253 in North Chattanooga. After discussing your article about President Obama’s visit to Tennessee for our Inside Government Badge, we feel the “College for Everyone” idea should be supported and is a great idea. We think everyone should be able to get an education even if they don’t have the money to pay for it. We know it isn’t really free and there has to be a plan to pay for it, but we hope the adults come up with that plan. If more people were able to go to college, our country would be stronger.