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Haslam’s Insure Tennessee Placed on Back Burner by Lawmakers

The almost 300,000 Tennesseans currently in the coverage gap between Medicaid and the Affordable Care Act are no closer to coverage. On Wednesday, two measures that would have funded Gov. Bill Haslam's Insure Tennessee program failed to advance in the state legislature. One was withdrawn for lack of support, and the other was sent to a summer study committee, which supporters say signifies its dismissal. Michele Johnson, executive director of the Tennessee Justice Center, says it's time for state lawmakers to address the needs of the people. "And the reason is pretty clearly about politicians putting politics before people, and so that's really disappointing because the majority of Tennesseans want this, they need it,” she states. “Across party lines, people, Tennesseans, support this." Haslam proposed the Insure Tennessee plan last year to extend health coverage to 280,000 low-income Tennesseans. The Tennessee Hospital Association had pledged to cover the entire $74 million state share of the program. According to the Tennessee Justice Center, 64 percent of Tennesseans from both parties support the Insure Tennessee program. Opponents are concerned about potential costs to the state, but under its current proposal, the program would be cost-neutral for Tennessee. The Insure Tennessee program would cover Tennesseans working in the service industry and construction jobs that do not provide health coverage, many of whom, according to Johnson, are left with no other option. "The vast majority of those folks are working Tennesseans,” she points out. “So these folks are going without health care, they're getting sicker and if they were to have an accident, they would be rushed to the hospital and go into debt for the rest of their lives." If implemented, Insure Tennessee would provide more than $1 billion annually in federal funding. In addition to helping citizens, the funds would help hospitals, many of which are at financial risk. Four hospitals have closed and another 50 are on shaky ground financially.

The almost 300,000 Tennesseans currently in the coverage gap between Medicaid and the Affordable Care Act are no closer to coverage.
On Wednesday, two measures that would have funded Gov. Bill Haslam’s Insure Tennessee program failed to advance in the state legislature. One was withdrawn for lack of support, and the other was sent to a summer study committee, which supporters say signifies its dismissal.
Michele Johnson, executive director of the Tennessee Justice Center, says it’s time for state lawmakers to address the needs of the people.
“And the reason is pretty clearly about politicians putting politics before people, and so that’s really disappointing because the majority of Tennesseans want this, they need it,” she states. “Across party lines, people, Tennesseans, support this.”
Haslam proposed the Insure Tennessee plan last year to extend health coverage to 280,000 low-income Tennesseans.
The Tennessee Hospital Association had pledged to cover the entire $74 million state share of the program.
According to the Tennessee Justice Center, 64 percent of Tennesseans from both parties support the Insure Tennessee program.
Opponents are concerned about potential costs to the state, but under its current proposal, the program would be cost-neutral for Tennessee.
The Insure Tennessee program would cover Tennesseans working in the service industry and construction jobs that do not provide health coverage, many of whom, according to Johnson, are left with no other option.
“The vast majority of those folks are working Tennesseans,” she points out. “So these folks are going without health care, they’re getting sicker and if they were to have an accident, they would be rushed to the hospital and go into debt for the rest of their lives.”
If implemented, Insure Tennessee would provide more than $1 billion annually in federal funding.
In addition to helping citizens, the funds would help hospitals, many of which are at financial risk. Four hospitals have closed and another 50 are on shaky ground financially.

The almost 300,000 Tennesseans currently in the coverage gap between Medicaid and the Affordable Care Act are no closer to coverage. On Wednesday, two measures that would have funded Gov. Bill Haslam’s Insure Tennessee program failed to advance in the state legislature. One was withdrawn for lack of support, and the other was sent to a summer study committee, which supporters say signifies its dismissal. Michele Johnson, executive director of the Tennessee Justice Center, says it’s time for state lawmakers to address the needs of the people. “And the reason is pretty clearly about politicians putting politics before people, and so that’s really disappointing because the majority of Tennesseans want this, they need it,” she states. “Across party lines, people, Tennesseans, support this.” Haslam proposed the Insure Tennessee plan last year to extend health coverage to 280,000 low-income Tennesseans. The Tennessee Hospital Association had pledged to cover the entire $74 million state share of the program. According to the Tennessee Justice Center, 64 percent of Tennesseans from both parties support the Insure Tennessee program. Opponents are concerned about potential costs to the state, but under its current proposal, the program would be cost-neutral for Tennessee. The Insure Tennessee program would cover Tennesseans working in the service industry and construction jobs that do not provide health coverage, many of whom, according to Johnson, are left with no other option. “The vast majority of those folks are working Tennesseans,” she points out. “So these folks are going without health care, they’re getting sicker and if they were to have an accident, they would be rushed to the hospital and go into debt for the rest of their lives.” If implemented, Insure Tennessee would provide more than $1 billion annually in federal funding. In addition to helping citizens, the funds would help hospitals, many of which are at financial risk. Four hospitals have closed and another 50 are on shaky ground financially.

Legal Smoking Age in Tennessee remains 18

Photo provided by placardmonceur/morguefile

Photo provided by placardmonceur/morguefile

An effort to raise Tennessee’s smoking age from 18 to 21 has been defeated in the state House. The bill sponsored by Rep. Bob Ramsey of Maryville failed to receive a motion in the House Agriculture Committee on Tuesday. Ramsey has said he introduced the bill over health concerns for Tennesseans. Legislative analysts had projected that the measure would cost state and local governments about $10 million in lost revenue a year once fully implemented. Tennessee’s tax on each pack of cigarettes was raised from 20 cents to 62 cents in 2007.

Motlow will be Closed on Good Friday

Motlow 3All Motlow State Community College facilities, including the Moore County, Fayetteville, McMinnville, and Smyrna campuses, will be closed Friday, March 25 for a spring holiday administrative day.
The College, including libraries and computer labs, will operate under normal schedules Thursday, March 24, and then remain closed Friday, Saturday and Sunday.
Regular business hours and class schedules will resume Monday, March 28.

3/19/16 — Molene E. Banks

banksFuneral services for Mrs. Molene E. Banks, age 91 of Manchester, will be conducted Saturday,
March 19, 2016 at 2 PM at Coffee County Funeral Chapel. Burial will follow in Old
Redden Cemetery. Visitation with the family will be held Friday, March 18, 2016
from 5PM until 8PM at Coffee County Funeral Chapel. Mrs. Banks passed away on
Tuesday, March 15, 2016 at Manchester Healthcare.

Mrs. Banks was born on October 13, 1924 to the late Dewey and Grovey Smith. She was a member of
Riley Creek Baptist Church. In addition to her parents, she was preceded in death by her husband, Paskel D. Banks.

Her survivors include her son, Elton Banks; daughters, Brenda Hathaway (Paul), Patsy Johnson, Treva
Hedgepath; 7 grandchildren; 9 great-grandchildren.

On line condolences may be made at www.coffeecountyfuneralchapel.com

COFFEE COUNTY FUNERAL CHAPEL IN CHARGE OF ARRANGEMENTS

3/19/16 — Barry Lee Thomas

thomasBarry Lee Thomas of Tullahoma, went home to be with his Lord on Wednesday,
March 16, 2016 at the age of 82 at the Life Care Center of Tullahoma.
Funeral Services are scheduled for Saturday, March 19 at 2 PM at the
Daves-Culbertson Funeral Home Chapel with burial to follow at Maplewood
Cemetery. Visitation with the family will be from 12 PM until the time of
services.

Mr. Thomas, a native of Tullahoma, was the son of the late Raymond Lee and
Winnie Amos Thomas. He was employed by the Tullahoma Police Department in
the late 1950’s and by the Tullahoma Fire Department in the early 1960’s.
He retired from Carrier Corporation. He attended the Church of Jesus
Christ in Tullahoma. He enjoyed studying history and making scrapbooks. He
loved listening to music and going to church.

In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by his first wife,
Dorothy Lee Woodard Thomas, one son, Danny Ray Thomas and one brother,
David Ray Thomas.

He is survived by his wife, Deborah Langley Thomas of Tullahoma; son, Kenny
Wayne Thomas of Texas; sister, Minnie Womack of Tullahoma; five
grandchildren and three great grandchildren.

Online condolences may be made at www.davesculbertsonfuneralhome.com

DAVES-CULBERSTON FUNERAL HOME IS IN CHARGE OF ARRANGEMENTS

03/18/16-Sally Mary Vann

SALLY MARY VANN
(October 29, 1935 – March 16, 2016)
Sally Mary McLaughlin Vann, age 80 of Manchester, Tennessee, passed away on
March 16, 2016 at the St. Thomas Rutherford Hospital in Murfreesboro. She
was a retired Quality Assurance Compliance Officer in the Medical Healthcare
field at the former Medical Center of Manchester (Unity Medical Center). Mrs
Vann was preceded in death by her son, Patrick Vann; daughter, Ingrid Vann;
parents, the late William Joseph McLaughlin and Mary Doherty McLaughlin;
brothers, Billy McLaughlin and Johnny Cavanaugh; sister, Jackie Cavanaugh.
She is survived by her husband of 60 years, Thurmon Allin Vann of
Manchester, TN.; children, Michelle (Tim) Darr, Eileen (Jimmy) Watson, Kevin
Vann, Stephanie (Mike) Moore, Renee (Tim) Pierce and Mark (Christy) Vann;
grandchildren, Patricia Neal, David Grant, Brittany Moore, Kayla Aaron,
Sarah Pierce and Lauren Pierce; great-grandchildren, Karley Neal, Neyland
Grant, Norah Grant and Kristen Neal; sisters, Patricia Schnabel, Irene Funk
and Susan Haynes; brothers, Tommy McLaughlin, Jimmy Cavanaugh and Henry
Maguffin; and a host of other relatives and friends.
VISITATION Thursday, March 17, 2016 from 4 p.m. – 8 p.m. At Central Funeral
Home, 2812 Hillsboro Highway, Manchester, TN 37355 (Off of Exit 114 on I-24)

VISITATION
Friday, March 18, 2016 from 11 a.m.- 2 p.m. At the St. Mark Catholic Church
in Manchester, TN on the McMinnville Highway.
FUNERAL
Friday, March 18, 2016 at 2 p.m. At the St. Mark Catholic Church
OFFICIANT
Father Stephen Klasek
BURIAL
Rose Hill Memorial Gardens
Arrangements with CENTRAL FUNERAL HOME

03/20/16-ROY “DON” LAWS

ROY “DON” LAWS
(May 23, 1935 – March 15, 2016)
Roy Donald “Don” Laws, age 80 of Hillsboro, Tennessee, passed away on March
15, 2016 at the Horizon Health & Rehabilitation Center in Manchester. Born
in Newport, Tennessee, Mr. Laws was a retired Chemical Security Guard; a
United States Army Veteran; a member of the Seventh Day Adventist Church and
a Sublime Degree of Master Mason. He was preceded in death by his son,
Donald “Skeet” Laws and parents, Roy Allen Laws and Viola Hall Laws. Don is
survived by his loving wife, Minnie V. Dukes Laws of Hillsboro; step-mother,
Elizabeth Laws of Newport Tennessee; step-son, Steve Cody; sisters, Elaine
Trent and Gayla Wines; brothers, Bobby Laws and Tommy Laws; several
grandchildren; several great-grandchildren; and a host of other relatives
and friends.
VISITATION
Sunday, March 20, 2016 from 11 a.m. – 1 p.m. at Central Funeral Home, 2812
Hillsboro Highway, Manchester, TN 37355 (Off of Exit 114 on I-24)
FUNERAL
Sunday, March 20, 2016 at 1 p.m. at Central Funeral Home
OFFICIANT
Pastor Quentin Horton
BURIAL
Prairie Plains Methodist Church Cemetery
Arrangements with CENTRAL FUNERAL HOME of Manchester, TN

Thursday Prep Schedule

Sports Calendar2

3:00 PM – CHS Track HOSTS Warren Co
4:30 PM – WMS Softball HOSTS Cascade
4:30 PM – CHS Softball vs White House at Commando Classic Hendersonville
5:00 PM – CCMS Baseball(JV) at Cannon Co
5:00 PM – CCMS Softball at South Franklin – DH
5:30 PM – CHS Baseball(JV) at Shelbyville – DH
5:30 PM – CCMS Soccer at Harris
6:00 PM – WMS Baseball HOSTS Cornersville
7:00 PM – CHS Soccer at Community

Red Raider Baseball Claims District Win over Shelbyville on Wednesday

Zach Wise holds up his HR ball from Wednesday night at Shelbyville(Photo provided)

Zach Wise holds up his HR ball from Wednesday night at Shelbyville(Photo provided)

A 3 run home run in the top of the 6th inning and a strong 6 inning pitching performance from Bradley King combined to lift the Coffee County baseball team to a 6 to 3 win over Shelbyville on Wednesday night. Wise, who was 2 for 3 on the night, lifted a 1-1 pitch over the left field wall to score King and Jacob Langham and give the Raiders all the offense they would need to secure a season split with Shelbyville. After committing too many errors in Tuesday night’s loss to the Eagles, the Red Raider defense was sparkling on Wednesday night. Starting pitcher Wyatt Day struggled in the first inning as he gave up 1 run, but managed to escape a bases-loaded jam with a strikeout. King came on in the second inning and surrendered 5 hits in his 6 innings of work to earn the win.

Bradley King of CHS baseball

Bradley King of CHS baseball

Gavin Husted was 2 for 2 on the night with a walk, a double, an RBI and a run scored. Day finished 2 for 4 at the plate and Noah Anderson laced a double for the Red Raiders who evened their season and district record at 1 and 1. The win is the first win for new Raider head coach David Martin at Coffee County and his first as a high school head coach. The Raiders will return to the diamond on Saturday when they travel to Murfreesboro to take on Riverdale.

Former Lady Raider Pitcher Continues to Shine at Southern Illinois

Southern Illinois University pitcher Brianna Jones (Photo courtesy of Saluki Media Services)

Southern Illinois University pitcher Brianna Jones (Photo courtesy of Saluki Media Services)

Saluki Softball, and former Lady Raider, pitcher Brianna Jones was named Missouri Valley Conference Newcomer of the Week, the league announced Monday. Jones went 3-1 with an 0.42 ERA in 16.2 innings over four appearances this weekend.
Jones was dominant at the USF Under Armour Showcase this weekend, appearing in four of the five games and piling up three wins to improve to 10-3 this season. She threw her NCAA-leading sixth shutout of the season vs. North Florida and ended with an 0.42 ERA in 16.2 innings. She struck out 12 and limited opponents to a .177 batting average and only one extra base hit.
Jones earned MVC Newcomer of the Week for the second time this season. She has also earned MVC Pitcher of the Week twice already this year. This week, Alyssa Buchanan from UNI was Pitcher of the Week and Courtney Krodinger from UNI was named MVC Player of the Week.
SIU travels to Saint Louis on Wednesday before opening MVC play this weekend, hosting Loyola for a doubleheader on Saturday and a single game on Sunday at Charlotte West Stadium.