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Opponents of Haslam’s Insure Tennessee proposal could force vote to kill it

Republican Gov. Bill Haslam addresses state lawmakers at the state Capitol in Nashville on Monday, Feb. 2, 2015.
Republican Gov. Bill Haslam addresses state lawmakers at the state Capitol in Nashville on Monday, Feb. 2, 2015. Republican Gov. Bill Haslam addresses state lawmakers at the state Capitol in Nashville on Monday, Feb. 2, 2015.

NASHVILLE – Republican opponents of Gov. Bill Haslam’s proposed Insure Tennesse proposal could try to force a vote in the Senate Health Committee this afternoon in an effort to kill it.

Several lobbyists and legislative aides said Sen. Mike Bell, R-Riceville, could have six no votes lined up on the 11-member panel and may try to move the previous question on the bill and force a vote.

But Bell needs eight votes to move the previous question.

“We’ll have to see how the committee goes today,” Bell told the Times Free Press moment before the committee began.

Earlier today, Haslam met in his office and sought support from two health committee members, Sen. Todd Gardenhire, R-Chattanooga, and Sen. Janice Bowling, R-Tullahoma.

What ended up happening: