TennCare safety net report deadline looms

CHATTANOOGA, Tenn. Copyright 2005 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed. — A committee that was created to analyze the so-called “safety net” for those cut from TennCare meets for the first time in January less than a week before its report is due to the General Assembly.

Sen. David Fowler, R-Signal Mountain, introduced the amendment establishing the committee but has resigned in frustration over the slow start.

“It seems like nobody knows who is supposed to have done anything,” Fowler said, noting he had had trouble finding out who else was appointed and when the committee would meet.

The committee is supposed to look at the range and effectiveness of state-funded programs put in place to help about 191,000 adults cut this year from TennCare, the state’s health care program for the poor, disabled and uninsured.

The committee’s first meeting is set for Jan. 4. The report is due Jan. 10.

“To do this job well is going to require hours and hours and days and days,” Fowler said. “The middle of session is not the time to do that, which is why we were supposed to have the committee meet while we were out of session.”

TennCare safety net spokeswoman Andrea White attributed part of the delay to the way the legislation establishing the committee was written. The measure didn’t name a chairman or appoint someone to convene the committee.

The governor’s office appointed the nonlegislative committee members on Oct. 5, she said. The Senate appointments also were made in October and the House members were named in mid-November, Fowler said.

“It’s unfortunate that obviously the committee will not be able to give a formal report by Jan. 10,” White said. “The good news is now that we have a (safety net) program built and extended, they can have a much more hearty and meaningful conversation.”

Signal Mountain physician B.W. Ruffner was nominated to the committee by the Tennessee Medical Association and hopes the work will deal with broader health care concerns than those cut from TennCare.

“I’m optimistic this group will settle down and focus in on not just the people you saw on the 11 o’clock news last night but those who are uninsured for a variety of reasons,” he said.

Missing the Jan. 10 deadline may not be that significant because the Legislature begins a special session on ethics reform the same day, Ruffner said.

“Even if they had a wonderful report for them, they’re going to be concentrating on ethics,” he said.