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Letters to the editor, Feb. 13: Insure Tennessee

Insure Tennessee fallout

Rationale clear, lack of debate not so much

It is understandable that Tennessee Republicans opposed Gov. Haslam's Insure Tennessee health care proposal because it was linked so closely with "Obamacare."

Since President Obama lied to the American people by telling them that "if you like your health insurance plan, you can keep it," it is logical that there is much skepticism of how this program will be administered by the federal government for our state.

That said, I believe the people of Tennessee do have a moral obligation to assist those on the bottom of the economic ladder with a minimum level of health insurance coverage.

I have to believe that Gov. Haslam, a conservative Republican, was trying to put together a fiscally responsible program that would help these folks. An example of a fiscal safeguard against federal abuse was the "opt-out" provision for the state.

What shocked me was to see the governor's plan defeated not by a full session of our state legislature, but by a committee of 11 representatives. An issue which has so much time invested into it by Gov. Haslam and affects the lives of so many Tennesseans surely deserves to have a spirited debate among all the members of our legislative branch.

Quite possibly such debates could better Mr. Haslam's plan.

Donald Griffin

Franklin 37069

Reduce size of, perks for General Assembly

Our state government failed thousands of its citizens again.

How many will suffer with poor health or die without health care? Four of our senators refused to vote for death and we thank them. Some very flimsy excuses have been mentioned by many of our state leaders who opposed Gov. Haslam's plan.

Of course, Obama is always their excuse, along with Obamacare, the national debt and less government.

Sen. Bill Ketron just wants to wait and hope that the Supreme Court will keep them from having to make a decision on this. Now that's a leader; letting someone deal with the problem.

My favorite, though, came from Rep. Rick Womick: to paraphrase, "We didn't get a signed legal agreement from the president." We all know that every president signs legal agreements with individual citizens.

Our state leaders who are serious about less government need to make it happen. Do we need any more than three state senators or five in the House? Draw three equal districts for the Senate and five for the House. Eliminate all benefits and perks. Reduce the pay to minimum wage.

If they cannot live on minimum wage, make a living wage the law of the state. A living wage for those working will increase taxes paid, boost the economy and mean these people will not need government help to survive.

They will be able to provide necessities like health insurance. How much will this cut in government save state taxpayers?

Lee Foster

Murfreesboro 37129

Lawmakers showed lack of concern

I fully support Gov. Haslam's effort to provide health care coverage for those 250,000 to 280,000 uninsured citizens of Tennessee.

The recent action not to approve his thoughtful and well-planned proposal Insure Tennessee, under the guise of fiscal responsibility, demonstrates insensitivity and unconcern for those who cannot afford health insurance.

It is appalling that seven members of a committee have the power to deny health care coverage for 280,000 uninsured citizens throughout the state of Tennessee.

Lawmakers are elected to serve the people. These uninsured citizens have to bear the daily stress of trying to maintain a quality of life while at the same time worrying about the possibility of financial ruin in case of a major illness, not to mention the impending loss of life.

Our elected officials are free of these concerns, as they are protected by premier health insurance coverage funded by the state with taxpayer money.

This decision will not only affect individuals directly, but indirectly, due to the closing of hospitals that cannot generate enough revenue to survive. These uninsured persons depend upon these hospitals for hospital care.

Passage of Insure Tennessee would relieve some of the financial burden facing hospitals, especially rural hospitals. Our elected officials should reconsider their decision and its negative impact on the lives of uninsured citizens of Tennessee. You are urged to revisit and approve the Insure Tennessee initiative. The lives of those you were elected to serve rest in your hands.

Fred C. Fielder Sr.

Nashville 37218