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TennCare: One State's Experiment With Medicaid Expansion

Calvin Fisher

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TennCare is a state-run Medicaid program that has been operating since 1994. The program has been controversial, with supporters arguing that it has provided health insurance to hundreds of thousands of Tennesseans who would otherwise not have it, and opponents arguing that it is too expensive and has led to lower quality of care.

TennCare, One State's Experiment with Medicaid Expansion

by Harvey J. Platt

5 out of 5

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In 2014, Tennessee became one of the first states to expand Medicaid under the Affordable Care Act (ACA). The expansion allowed TennCare to cover adults with incomes up to 138% of the federal poverty level. As of 2020, TennCare covers more than 1.4 million Tennesseans, or about one-fifth of the state's population.

TennCare has been a success by many measures. The program has reduced the number of uninsured Tennesseans by more than half. It has also led to increased access to care, with more Tennesseans reporting that they have a regular doctor and that they are able to get the care they need.

However, TennCare has also faced some challenges. The program has been expensive, and it has been difficult to control costs. In addition, some Tennesseans have reported that they have had difficulty accessing care, and that the quality of care they have received has been poor.

Despite these challenges, TennCare remains a vital program for Tennesseans. The program provides health insurance to hundreds of thousands of people who would otherwise not have it, and it has led to increased access to care. TennCare is a complex program, and it is still evolving. However, the program has the potential to make a significant difference in the lives of Tennesseans.

The Pros and Cons of TennCare

There are many pros and cons to TennCare. Here are some of the most important:

Pros

TennCare has provided health insurance to hundreds of thousands of Tennesseans who would otherwise not have it.
The program has led to increased access to care, with more Tennesseans reporting that they have a regular doctor and that they are able to get the care they need.
TennCare has improved the health of Tennesseans. The program has led to decreases in preventable hospitalizations and deaths.

Cons

TennCare has been expensive. The program has cost the state billions of dollars.
It has been difficult to control costs. The program has been growing faster than the state's economy.
Some Tennesseans have reported that they have had difficulty accessing care. The program has been criticized for long wait times and for providing poor quality of care.

The Future of TennCare

The future of TennCare is uncertain. The program is facing a number of challenges, including rising costs and a changing political landscape. However, TennCare remains a vital program for Tennesseans. The program provides health insurance to hundreds of thousands of people who would otherwise not have it, and it has led to increased access to care. TennCare is a complex program, and it is still evolving. However, the program has the potential to make a significant difference in the lives of Tennesseans.

TennCare, One State's Experiment with Medicaid Expansion

by Harvey J. Platt

5 out of 5