TennCare program can, and should, be saved
I hope state lawmakers read this letter. TennCare needs accountability. The program can be saved.
Everyone should pay a premium of some amount based on income. There should be co-pays for all doctors visits. Anything, even $5 to $10, would stop much of the abuse.
Everyone should pay a co-pay for emergency room visits. A fee such as $50 would stop subscriber abuse and should only be waived if their condition is serious enough for admission to the hospital.
Doctors need to face very serous consequences if TennCare abuse is discovered. Such as the loss of their license to practice in Tennessee along with heavy fines paid to the TennCare program when abuse is proven.
Pharmacies should be given incentives of some sort for reporting suspected abuse if and when it is proven. Generic medications should always be used when possible. And co-pays for medications should be paid by everyone based on income. The only exception should be for the mentally ill.
Many patients with a mental illness are reluctant to take their medications as it is. If the mentally ill in this state are cut from TennCare, Tennessee will see an enormous growth in suicide, homelessness and patients added to our prison system, which is already over crowded and in financial trouble.
With the proper treatment, most of the mentally ill, can and will be productive members of society. The TennCare system can be and must be saved!
Sheila Hedge
Garfield Street
McMinnville