Thus far, debate over expansion of TennCare has revolved around costs and political ideology. The plight of human beings — Tennesseans who have no health insurance — has not been factored into the discussion.
Twenty-one percent of our state’s 6.3 million residents fall below the federal poverty level (FPL). They are eligible for TennCare, our state’s Medicaid program. Eighteen percent (1.13 million) are currently enrolled.
An additional 98,000 are eligible for the program but have not enrolled. I can find no explanation for this. Possibly, these persons are unaware of their options or lack access to social services.
TennCare cost $8.5 billion in fiscal year 2010. For every dollar our state spends on TennCare, it receives $1.95 from the federal government.
The Affordable Care Act of 2010 was modified last year in a split decision of the U.S. Supreme Court. A requirement that each state must expand its eligibility for its Medicaid program to include persons earning up to 138 percent of the FPL was struck down. Instead, expansion was made voluntary for each state. Expansion of Medicaid programs would begin in 2014.