Regional One Health applauds Tennessee Governor Bill Haslam’s announcement today to create Insure Tennessee, a new two-year health insurance pilot program. Insure Tennessee will provide health care coverage to nearly 400,000 Tennesseans who currently don’t have access to health insurance or have limited options.
Reginald W. Coopwood, MD, President and CEO of Regional One Health, was proud to stand next to Governor Haslam Monday morning as he announced the creation of Insure Tennessee. “We appreciate the governor’s leadership and thoughtful action on growing health coverage across Tennessee,” said Coopwood. “We support this action as it increases access to health care in the Memphis area and across Tennessee. This approach will help us work with patients to manage their health and make sure they receive the right care in the right setting.” The program will reward healthy behaviors, promote personal responsibility, and incentivize choosing preventative and routine care instead of unnecessary use of emergency rooms.
Tennessee hospitals already fund the federal cost of Medicaid expansion through reimbursement cuts in the Affordable Care Act. However, these funds currently help support expansion in states like California, New York and Massachusetts, among others. Without Insure Tennessee, these funds will not support Tennesseans.
The governor’s approach to expansion supports community health systems like Regional One Health that serve as critical lifelines and stimulate the economy. “Hospitals in Tennessee, including ours, face real financial struggles due to reimbursement cuts from the Affordable Care Act and the unreimbursed cost of charity care,” said Coopwood. “Insure Tennessee will help alleviate these challenges.”
An overview of the proposed Insure Tennessee program is available online.
About Regional One Health
Regional One Health is a healthcare system providing accessible, efficient, quality healthcare for individuals in the Mid-South. Its primary service area includes west Tennessee, east Arkansas and north Mississippi. Focusing on compassionate care and exceptional services, Regional One Health is anchored by the acute care hospital Regional Medical Center, which is home to highly respected Centers of Excellence including trauma, burn, neonatal intensive care and high-risk obstetrics. Regional One Health also includes Regional One Health Rehabilitation Hospital; Regional One Health Extended Care Hospital; Regional One Health Surgery Center; a network of primary care physician offices; and an outpatient center. To learn more, visit regionalonehealth.org.
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