NASHVILLE, Tenn. – House Minority Leader Craig Fitzhugh has released the following video statement in response to Governor Haslam’s decision to not participate in the Medicaid expansion:
Earlier today, Governor Haslam announced Tennessee would turn down over $10 billion and not participate in Medicaid Expansion. This shocking decision comes after business groups, hospital associations, doctors, nurses, civic and faith leaders joined together to work with the Governor on this critical decision that impacts our citizens and our economy.
I truly believed that the governor was going to use this opportunity to show real leadership. Instead we’ve seen more of the hand-wringing and delayed action that we’ve become accustomed to.
Here are the facts.
300,000 Tennesseans will now be denied access to quality, affordable health care coverage; Coverage that wouldn’t have cost Tennessee taxpayers a dime for the first 3 years.
Estimates show that 90,000 jobs may be lost, and dozens of our rural hospitals are at risk of closing – leaving as many as 21 counties without a hospital altogether!
Tennessee’s economy will suffer as billions in federal dollars leave our state and go to California, New York and other states that have agreed to participate in Medicaid Expansion.
All of that says nothing about the moral obligation that we have as lawmakers to ensure the health and well-being of the least among us.
Governor Haslam says he is working on a “Tennessee Plan” to address these concerns. However, his announcement today came with few details and even fewer certainties for the hundreds of thousands of Tennesseans who have been counting on the governor to do the right thing.
While I hope that the Governor is serious about working with the federal government to create an alternative plan, past experience makes me question the sincerity of these efforts.
All t0o often with this administration, we have the Governor study, and study, and study an issue, only to come back later and say “no”.
My friends today is an illustration of why it matters who governs and this Governor has failed to deliver for the people of Tennessee. Our hearts go out to the thousands of people across this state who will suffer as a result of this decision. It is my hope and fervent prayer that in the future we can find a way to care for the least among us when they need it the most.
http://youtu.be/CUbOaxXT9Cc (Higher resolution video available upon request)