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Chattanooga area lawmakers grill Haslam on Insure Tennessee

Governor Bill Haslam leaves the Cherokee Health Systems facility after answering questions about his Insure Tennessee plan which could expand Medicare to thousands of people in the state of Tennessee. Governor Haslam spoke while visiting the Cherokee Health Systems office in downtown Chattanooga on Ja. 28, 2015.
Governor Bill Haslam leaves the Cherokee Health Systems facility after answering questions about his Insure Tennessee plan which could expand Medicare to thousands of people in the state of Tennessee. Governor Haslam spoke while visiting the Cherokee Health Systems office in downtown Chattanooga on Ja. 28, 2015. Governor Bill Haslam leaves the Cherokee Health Systems facility after answering questions about his Insure Tennessee plan which could expand Medicare to thousands of people in the state of Tennessee. Governor Haslam spoke while visiting the Cherokee Health Systems office in downtown Chattanooga on Ja. 28, 2015.

By Andy Sher, Kate Belz 5 min read

From insurance co-pays to the reliability of the federal government, local lawmakers had plenty of ground they wanted Gov. Bill Haslam to cover Wednesday during an hourlong meeting in Chattanooga about his proposed Insure Tennessee plan.

Legislators peppered the governor with questions, and some struck a skeptical tone. But Haslam expected as much, he said after the meeting.

“Health care, first of all, is a complex subject. And because it’s tied in some people’s minds to Obamacare it becomes very politically contentious,” he said. But, he argued, the plan is “an opportunity for Tennesseans who don’t have health care coverage to have that at no cost to state government.”

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Bigger enrollment seen for Insure Tennessee

Chattanooga was just one stop on the governor’s statewide tour to meet with lawmakers before the General Assembly convenes next week in a special session to debate the plan.