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Proponents of failed Insure Tennessee plan to stage protest march

Leisa Wiley holds a sign during a mock funeral to show anger and opposition for the vote that killed Gov. Bill Haslam's Insure Tennessee proposal to extend health coverage to 280,000 low-income Tennesseans. Dozens joined the march in downtown Chattanooga on Tuesday in support of the uninsured. The march centered around the fact that state Sen. Todd Gardenhire and six other Republican senators whose votes killed the proposal have state-subsidized coverage themselves.
Leisa Wiley holds a sign during a mock funeral to show anger and opposition for the vote that killed Gov. Bill Haslam's Insure Tennessee proposal to extend health coverage to 280,000 low-income Tennesseans. Dozens joined the march in downtown Chattanooga on Tuesday in support of the uninsured. The march centered around the fact that state Sen. Todd Gardenhire and six other Republican senators whose votes killed the proposal have state-subsidized coverage themselves. Leisa Wiley holds a sign during a mock funeral to show anger and opposition for the vote that killed Gov. Bill Haslam's Insure Tennessee proposal to extend health coverage to 280,000 low-income Tennesseans. Dozens joined the march in downtown Chattanooga on Tuesday in support of the uninsured. The march centered around the fact that state Sen. Todd Gardenhire and six other Republican senators whose votes killed the proposal have state-subsidized coverage themselves.

By Andy Sher 2 min read

NASHVILLE – Supporters of Gov. Bill Haslam’s plan to buy health insurance for nearly 280,000 low-income state residents say they’ll hold a nearly 70-mile, four-day walk next week they’re calling the “Insure Tennessee Journey for Justice.”

The march will hit towns and courthouses across the Senate district represented by Mike Bell, R-Riceville, who voted against the governor’s proposal.

“Two dozen Tennesseans die every month, over 50 hospitals are at risk of closing, and yet we have the opportunity to receive $1 billion per year of assistance,” said organizer Pamela Weston in a news release. “Why would we ever refuse that? Insure Tennessee should be a no-brainer, but seven legislators, including Senator Mike Bell, voted against it and let their constituents down.

“Protesters, furious over the plan’s failure, have take several actions against state Sen. Todd Gardenhire, R-Chattanooga, who also voted against Insure Tennessee. Their acts include holding a mock funeral outside the Hamilton County GOP headquarters while Gardenhire was speaking there and later chalking slogans and graffitic at the building where he works.

Promoters said the march begins at 10 a.m. Wednesday on the steps of the Bradley County Courthouse with a prayer service and news conference. They then plan to march to the Polk County Courthouse.