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Report: Tennesseans Would Pay Price for ACA Repeal
An Urban Institute report finds that Tennessee working families and children would pay the price for the repeal of the Affordable Care Act. (Kelly/flickr.com)
While starting over sounds logical to some, a new report from the Urban Institute finds that would come at a significant cost to millions of Americans.
Michele Johnson, executive director of the Tennessee Justice Center, says before a repeal, lawmakers must have a plan in place.
“Rural Tennesseans are going to be impacted by a repeal of the Affordable Care Act, unless there’s a replacement, and that’s why it’s vitally important that if there are problems that politicians have with the plan, that they fix those problems, that they don’t drive the car off the cliff just because it needs its oil changed,” she stresses.
According to the report, the number of uninsured people would more than double to 59 million by 2019. Additionally, 82 percent of the uninsured would be working families.
In Tennessee, there would be a 79 percent increase in the number of uninsured, and families receiving tax credits under the ACA would lose more than $5,000 a year in assistance.
Joan Alker, executive director of the Center for Children and Families at Georgetown University, says it’s important that citizens pay attention to what is being proposed in the new year in Washington before it’s too late.
“Congressional leaders are moving very quickly to try to do this in January as soon as they return from the holidays so people are not aware that this could happen so quickly and also they’re not aware of the consequences,” she points out.
U.S. Sen. Lamar Alexander of Tennessee is among those calling for fellow lawmakers to create a replacement for health coverage before the ACA is repealed.
Johnson says others should follow suit.
“That’s folks who are interested in governing and who basically care about the real Tennesseans who are sitting at their kitchen tables trying to figure out how do they make their budget this week and this month and how do they make sure that their children have a bright future,” she states. “Playing political games is fine. It’s really, really harmful in this context. The stakes are too high for Tennesseans. ”
Opponents of repealing the ACA point out that Congress has voted numerous times to repeal the act, but in six years have yet to agree on a replacement.
12/15/16—Robbie Evelyn Huddleston
Memorial services for Mrs. Robbie Evelyn Huddleston, age 84 of Manchester
will be conducted at 7:00pm, Thursday, December 15 at the Manchester
Funeral Home Chapel with Rev. Mark Barron officiaiting. Visitation with
the Huddleston family will be from 5pm until service time at the funeral
home. Mrs. Huddleston passed this life Sunday, December 11 at the
Horizon Healthcare Center in Manchester.
Robbie was born in Red Boiling Springs, Tennessee the daughter of the
late W.C. and Isabelle Cassitty Cook. She worked as a beautician and was
the owner and operator of Robbie's Beauty Lounge in Manchester. Robbie
was a member of the Manchester Cumberland Presbyterian Church. She is
survived by:
Son- Ken Huddleston and his wife Nancy of Manchester
Brothers- Roger Cook and his wife Jeanne of McMinnville
Ronald Cook and his wife Jan of Gallatin
Grandchildren- Zakk Huddleston and Isabella Huddleston
Several Nieces and Nephews
IN LIEU OF FLOWERS, THE FAMILY ASKS THAT MEMORIAL DONATION BE MADE TO:
ALL GOD'S CHILDREN %FIRST PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH, 1101 JACKSON ST.,
MANCHESTER, TN 37355
MANCHESTER FUNERAL HOME IS HONORED TO SERVE THE HUDDLESTON FAMILY
12/12/16—William Huston “Pat” Richardson
William Huston “Pat” Richardson was a native of Woodbury, Tennessee and the son of the late John and Margarett Travis Richardson. He was preceded in death by a sister; Dean Simpson, four brothers; J. T. “Tom”, J.B. “Dick” , Robert “Bob”, and Sam Richardson, and one very precious daughter to his heart; Lori Richardson Prince. “Pat” is survived by his loving and devoted wife Sue (Adams) Richardson of Manchester, Tennessee, one son; John Richardson (Shandra) of Manchester, Tennessee, a sister; Peggy Richardson of Cookeville, Tennessee, a brother; Charles “Buck” Richardson of Manchester, Tennessee, a son-in-law; Terry Prince of Manchester, Tennessee, four Grandchildren; Michael Prince, Megan Prince Porter, Garrett Richardson, and Gracie Richardson, four Great-Grandchildren; Anna Lee Prince, Ellie Sue Porter, Mary Michael Prince, and Charlie Marie Porter. After graduation Pat joined the Air Force where he served our country. Pat loved Horseshoe Pitching and won several trophies enjoying the sport. He was also very artistic and would create woodcarvings and drawings. He enjoyed and worked as a Wildlife Officer Creel Clerk with the Tennessee Wildlife Resource Agency before Retirement. He and his wife Sue mostly loved spending time with each other and their family. Pat was a member of the Trinity Baptist Church of Manchester, Tennessee.
VISITATION: Sunday, December 11, 2016, 5 – 8:00 P.M. at the Central Funeral Home, 2812 Hillsboro Highway, Manchester, Tennessee
FUNERAL: Monday, December 12, 2016, 11:00 A.M. at Central Funeral Home
BURIAL: Rose Hill Memorial Gardens United States Air Force Military Honors
CENTRAL FUNERAL HOME IS IN CHARGE OF THE ARRANGEMENTS.
12/15/16 — Jerold Allen Miller
JEROLD “JERRY” ALLEN MILLER, age 83, of Estill Springs, Tenn., departed this life suddenly on Saturday, December 10, 2016, at STRHS Winchester.
Services for Mr. Miller are scheduled for 11:00 A.M. Thursday, December 15, 2016, in the chapel of Grant Funeral Services.
Visitation with the family will be held from 4:00-8:00 P.M. on Wednesday evening December 14, in the Chapel of Grant Funeral Services.
Interment will follow in the Estill Springs Cemetery .
He is survived by daughters; Denise Miller of Estill Springs
Sherri Baker of Tullahoma
Sons – Storm Allen Miller and wife, Paula of Bon Aqua, Tenn.
Wendell Miller and wife, Karen of Tullahoma
Stepson – John Meadows and wife, Effie of Rainsville, Ala.
Stepdaughter – Sandra Klink and husband, Dave of Rome, Ga.
Brothers – Larry Miller of Boynton Beach, Fla. and Ron Miller of Logansport, Ind.,
Sister – Betty Hamrick of Indian Head, Maryland
Several grandchildren, great-grandchildren, nieces and nephews.
GRANT FUNERAL SERVICES IN CHARGE OF THE ARRANGEMENTS.
Coffee County Basketball Falls at Lawrence County on Friday Night
Alliyah Williams of Lady Raider basketball[Photo by Demarco Moore – Manchester Times]
Getting off to a fast start was what the Lady Raiders needed, wanted and were able to do on Friday night to get in position to capture an upset. Coffee County used several Lady Cats turnovers to close out the 1st quarter on a 9 to 3 run and take a 7 point lead into the second quarter. Lawrence County rallied back to keep the game close before taking their first lead of the game with 4:02 left in the game at 38 to 37. After trading baskets, an Alliyah Williams steal and Bailey Morgan basket put Coffee County up 41 to 40 with 49 seconds remaining. The steal, while Lawrence County was trying to run out the clock, helped Williams earn the Crazy Daisies player of the game award. Lawrence County tied the contest at the free throw line to send the game to overtime before outscoring Coffee County 6 to 3 in the extra frame for the win. Aerial Williams led Coffee County in scoring with 14 points. Jacey Vaughn came off the bench to score 8. Alliyah Williams and Abby Morgan each finished with 7.
Steven Sullivan of Red Raider basketball[Photo by Demarco Moore – Manchester Times]
Coffee County will close out the pre-Christmas tournament portion of their schedule on Tuesday night when they travel to Fayetteville to take on the Fayetteville Tigers. Christmas tournament action begins on Friday when the Lady Raiders travel to Hixson. Coffee County opens tournament play against Boyd Buchanan at 3 PM EST at Hixson High. The Red Raiders will host their Christmas tournament beginning on Monday, December 19th. The Red Raiders will take on Community at 7:30 PM at the Joe Frank Patch Gym.
To download the podcast of Friday’s games, go to : http://www.thunder1320.com/downloads/
Westwood Rockets Advance in DRVC Tournament
Eliot Sain of Westwood basketball
Composure ending up being the deciding factor on Saturday as the Westwood Rockets defeated Huntland 37 to 31 in the Duck River Valley Conference Tournament play-in game at the Joel Vinson Gym. In a game marred by a technical foul call on a Huntland player and the ejection of a Huntland parent, Coach Will Pannell and his Rocket team kept their cool in a contentious 2nd half. The Rockets battled back from a 7 point deficit in the 3rd quarter to advance to Wednesday’s quarterfinal round at Cascade.
Leading by 3 points at the half, Huntland stretched their lead to 7 in the first 2 and a half minutes of the 3rd quarter before the wheels fell off of the Hornet train. Brady Nugent hit a pair of free throws awarded to Westwood after Huntland’s top scorer overreacted to an official’s decision. That technical foul call triggered a chorus of displeasure from the Huntland fans directed at the game’s referees. The remainder of the 3rd quarter saw Westwood finish on a 10 to 2 run and also saw a Huntland fan removed from the gym.
Westwood was a remarkable 8 for 10 at the free throw line in the 3rd quarter comeback. Eliot Sain led the free throw barrage as he was 7 of 8 from the free throw line in the 2nd half and finished the game with 7 points. Trent Thompson and Wyatt Nugent led the Rockets in scoring as each finished with 8 points. Will Partin was a perfect 4 for 4 at the line and finished with 4 points.
Westwood will take on the tournament’s #1 seed Cascade on Wednesday night in the tournament’s semifinals. That game will tip-off at 6 PM.
One Person Dies in Saturday morning I-24 Crash
One person has been killed in a crash on Interstate 24 in Coffee County.
The wreck involving two vehicles happened in the eastbound lanes near mile marker 99 around 1:15 a.m. Saturday morning.
Karlea A. Hedgepath, 24, of Smyrna, was killed in the Saturday morning crash.
Hedgepath was the passenger in a pickup truck heading eastbound on I-24.
The driver of the pickup, 23-year-old Zachary T. Kilburn, sustained injuries and was flown to Erlanger Hospital in Chattanooga.
The vehicle was traveling at a high rate of speed when it attempted to change lanes from the left to the right.
The pickup clipped a tractor trailer, then returned to the left lane and then lost control, crashing on the right hand shoulder.
Hedgepath was pronounced dead at Unity Medical Clinic in Manchester.
Tennessee Highway Patrol reports that neither occupant of the pickup was wearing a safety belt.
The driver of the tractor trailer was not injured in the accident.
THP has not released an update on Kilburn’s condition.
Criminal charges are pending in the case.
Early morning Fire takes out Motor-home and causes other Damage
Fire scene photo by Barry West
The owner told the deputy that the motor-home was a complete loss and his wrecker, a 3000 GT sitting beside the motor home also sustained fire damage.
No one was injured in the blaze.
Jamie Norris receives Tennessee Highway Safety Office, Cumberland Region, “Officer of the Year”
Norris receiving award. Photo provided
Officer Norris was hired at Manchester Police Department on April 13, 2015. Officer Norris has surpassed expectations in many ways to make our roadways safer. He has volunteered and worked numerous saturation events during traffic enforcement campaigns. From January 1, 2016 to October 1, 2016 he has issued 528 traffic citations. He has made 99 arrests with most of them being traffic related including 7 DUI arrests, 14 drug arrests and 42 arrests for driving on revoked / suspended driver license. Officer Norris completed Drug Recognition Expert (DRE) school in February 2016 and is now a certified DRE. He also completed THSO Advance Crash Investigation in August 2016.
Officer Norris states that his job is to keep our roadways safe and to keep all citizens of Manchester as safe as possible when traveling. Officer Norris has an outstanding work ethic and leads by example with his job performance.
Lock up you Meds during Holiday Gatherings
When preparing to host holiday gatherings, you may not immediately think to add ‘properly store medication’ to your to-do list. However, with prescription drug abuse and overdose increasing, it’s important to take appropriate measures to secure your medicines before visitors arrive.
“Many people don’t realize how common prescription drug misuse and abuse issues are,” said Kristina Clark, co-developer of the national Count It! Lock It! Drop It!™ prescription drug abuse prevention program. “There are many reasons someone might get into your medicines, and a number of negative consequences when they do.”
By keeping your medications properly locked and out of sight, you can avoid issues that could arise when a guest isn’t feeling well and checks the family medicine cabinet.
“Friends or family may seek relief for a headache or some other condition, and simply take a prescription medication they find, thinking it will help,” said Cheryl McClatchey, behavioral health director at BlueCross BlueShield of Tennessee. “It may not be done with bad intentions, but it can have dangerous outcomes.”
Even if someone asks you to share your pills, it’s best to refrain, says Dr. Natalie Tate, director of pharmacy at BlueCross BlueShield of Tennessee.
Count It! Lock It! Drop It!™ offers these tips to keep prescription drugs safe year-round:
• Store your medications in a secure and dry place. Invest in a home lock box.
• Count your pills regularly to check for missing medication.
• Never share your medications.
• Don’t discuss your medications with others.
• Dispose of unused medications securely – go to countitlockitdropit.org to find a secure drop box near you.