Tenn. governor accused of failing medicaid

AP ^ | 3/29/5 | MATT GOURAS

[SmithL]

NASHVILLE, Tenn. - A lawyer challenging proposed cuts from the state's expanded Medicaid program contends that the governor mismanaged the $8 billion program.

Marking the start of a case Monday that could dictate the state's spending priorities, Gordon Bonnyman of the Tennessee Justice Center, said that Gov. Phil Bredesen has failed in the "day-to-day management" of the health care program.

The state argued that keeping the program, TennCare, intact would require $650 million more in spending - requiring deep cuts in almost every other budget area.

"This embarrassing reality dawned on public officials two years into taking office on the promise of fixing TennCare," Bonnyman said.

Earlier this year, a judge blocked Bredesen from removing 323,000 adults from the program, cuts the governor said were needed to keep the program from bankrupting the state.

Lawmakers, who have stalled work on the state's budget, are awaiting a court decision in the case. The judge has cleared his calendar for the next two weeks for hearings.

Bonnyman argued that the administration realized late last year that proposed reforms were not going to work.

But Charles Cooper, a lawyer hired by the state, said officials only decided to drop enrollees after it became apparent long-standing consent decrees blocked the original reform plan.

"Pointing a finger and asserting mismanagement is simply a diversion from the real issue that TennCare growth is out of control and continues to threaten the financial stability of our state," said Lydia Lenker, a Bredesen spokeswoman.

Tennessee Finance Commissioner Dave Goetz also disagreed with Bonnyman's assertion that the administration realized its reform plan would not work.

Goetz testified the administration had an "Oh, no" moment in October to November, amid spiraling cost projections. That's when the administration started negotiating with the Tennessee Justice Center in hopes to get approval for more drastic reform, he said.

[SmithL]

Bonnyman again?
Now there's a surprise.

[Bigh4u2]

"Earlier this year, a judge blocked Bredesen from removing 323,000 adults from the program, cuts the governor said were needed to keep the program from bankrupting the state."

And still another Judge determining state policy.

When are these legislatures going to wake up and reclaim their Constitutional rights to make policy.

Why bother having a legislature at all?

Or voters for that matter.

[Bigh4u2]

" They tried to increase the sales Tax to 9.25 percent, the people revolted,"

So instead they are going to push through 'title' increase on cars, from $10 to $50, through with the new budget.

They don't need to 'tax us to death' when they can just increase fees, without ever asking us if it's ok.

[fireforeffect]

Bonnyman refuses to negotiate. He sees no reason why the State should reduce benifits to the same level as Medicaid. He also sees no reason why non-citizens (TN & US) should not be covered. He sees no reason why people who can afford their own insurance (now) should be cut. he sees no reason why the State should not just pass an income tax to pay for all this (and his legal bill too).

He also does not want recipients to pay a co-pay per visit.

He wants his cake and to eat it too. He really wants your cake too.

[JustaCowgirl]

No kidding. Bonnyman has been a one-note johnny for how many years now? He never has made any real sense on the subject.

[Redbob]

I love it!
One Dimocrat, Boss Hogg (Ned McWhirter) created "TennCare,"
and now another Dimocrat reaps the political fallout!

[GailA]

bonnyman's whole objective is to force through the dreaded state income tax. Tenncare is just one of his chosen vessels to do so.

[reelfoot]

"Earlier this year, a judge blocked Bredesen from removing 323,000 adults from the program, cuts the governor said were needed to keep the program from bankrupting the state.

And still another Judge determining state policy.

When are these legislatures going to wake up and reclaim their Constitutional rights to make policy."

That's not the half of it. If Tennessee wants any changes in this boondoggle program, it has to go hat-in-hand to the feds to get "permission." It's not a routine matter of the state general assembly passing a bill to cut the red ink (by paring back the program) and having the governor sign it. You first have to convince the proper federal bureaucrat.

I guess the only way out of this for Tennesse is to have Tennessee's U.S. congressional delegation introduce bills to take us out of this tarbaby nightmare.

Warning to other states: don't partner up with the feds on anything. They can't be trusted to follow constitutional principles of federalism and state sovereignty.

But you knew that already, didn't you?

[Recall]

But I sleep well knowing that soon you will be reporting you have fixed that mess in CA and you're coming back home to help in TN !!

[Lancey Howard]

Earlier this year, a judge blocked Bredesen from removing 323,000 adults from the program, cuts the governor said were needed to keep the program from bankrupting the state. Lawmakers, who have stalled work on the state's budget, are awaiting a court decision in the case. The judge has cleared his calendar for the next two weeks for hearings.

It's good to be Judge.