Don't State Senators have a health plan automatically in place upon election?
I'm sure they do, but her 10-year stint on TennCare took place before she was elected.
I'm on the mess myself plus Medicare retired on disability. I'm not sure how long ago she may have been on it. Twelve years ago even though Medicaid {What Tennscare replaced} was intended mainly for workers who had become disabled plus dependents or as survivor benefits for a deceased worker. I couldn't get on it even though I had no income. I got on it because I'm uninsurable.
Twelve years ago all that was needed was a statement by an insurance company stating you were uninsurable and you then qualified for Tennscare. After the reforms that came when Bredesen took over I'm not sure what it takes now. For Medicare patients though Tennscare I don't believe pays for much of anything. For a number of years if you were disabled and on Tennscare and Medicare it was very hard to even get a primary care physician. The doctors were paid far less than what Tennscare or Medicare only patients paid them. Medicare only meant the doctor could bill the patient or their private insurer as well. Patients on Tennscare and Medicare meant they had to take the Medicare payment as payment in full.
My wife has been on it from day one and it's been a nightmare from day one till Taxquist was out of office. Medicaid was far more accountable and was made to fail by some who later obtained lucrative positions in the Tenn Care system private sector. We both went nearly a year without a doctor. For me that's OK as long as I have the meds. For my wife that's another matter though.