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WZTV FOX 17 - Top Stories
Tennessee Governor Bill Haslam says the state will not set up a state-based healthcare exchange. The decision Monday comes in response to a provision in the federal Healthcare Affordable Care Act which allowed states to operate its own system.
"If it's a business decision I wouldn't go into a partnership with somebody who wasn't telling me everything I needed to know," said Haslam.
In making his decision, the governor says he felt Tennessee could operate the exchange better than the federal government but he remained concerned about what he says is a lack of clarity in how the program would work.
Haslam says his office has received 800 pages of new rules just since the November election.
"People think I'm saying this for political benefit but I'm not. I'm more and more convinced that they are making this up as they go," said Haslam.
The federal government says it will set up healthcare exchanges in states that opt not to.
The Obama Administration says the healthcare exchanges will allow people and small businesses to buy healthcare coverage from competing private companies.
Health Care experts describe the program as like a "Travelosity" for insurance.
There are still questions how a federally run exchange will differ from an state run program.
Brad Palmertree with the Tennessee Health Care Campaign says the federal program could prevent insurance companies that only operate in Tennessee from taking part.
He also says it might be more difficult for consumers to voice their problems.
"My voice as a consumer is louder here at the state level than DC," said Palmertree.
Tennessee still has the option of starting a state run exchange at a later date.
Haslam did not say if he's going to support another key part of the Affordable Health Care Act.
States will eventually have to decide whether to opt-in to an expansion to Medicaid.
In Tennessee that could bring coverage to an estimated 240,000 uninsured poor.
Palmertree says that is the more important health care decision the governor has to make.
"The exchange is going to happen regardless but the people who need insurance the most who might benefit from medicaid they're the ones who are gonna potentially miss out," said Palmertree.
Some have speculated it would be difficult for the Governor support both the expansion of Medicaid and a state run health exchange.
Haslam says the decisions are completely separate.
"If it's a business decision I wouldn't go into a partnership with somebody who wasn't telling me everything I needed to know," said Haslam.
In making his decision, the governor says he felt Tennessee could operate the exchange better than the federal government but he remained concerned about what he says is a lack of clarity in how the program would work.
Haslam says his office has received 800 pages of new rules just since the November election.
"People think I'm saying this for political benefit but I'm not. I'm more and more convinced that they are making this up as they go," said Haslam.
The federal government says it will set up healthcare exchanges in states that opt not to.
The Obama Administration says the healthcare exchanges will allow people and small businesses to buy healthcare coverage from competing private companies.
Health Care experts describe the program as like a "Travelosity" for insurance.
There are still questions how a federally run exchange will differ from an state run program.
Brad Palmertree with the Tennessee Health Care Campaign says the federal program could prevent insurance companies that only operate in Tennessee from taking part.
He also says it might be more difficult for consumers to voice their problems.
"My voice as a consumer is louder here at the state level than DC," said Palmertree.
Tennessee still has the option of starting a state run exchange at a later date.
Haslam did not say if he's going to support another key part of the Affordable Health Care Act.
States will eventually have to decide whether to opt-in to an expansion to Medicaid.
In Tennessee that could bring coverage to an estimated 240,000 uninsured poor.
Palmertree says that is the more important health care decision the governor has to make.
"The exchange is going to happen regardless but the people who need insurance the most who might benefit from medicaid they're the ones who are gonna potentially miss out," said Palmertree.
Some have speculated it would be difficult for the Governor support both the expansion of Medicaid and a state run health exchange.
Haslam says the decisions are completely separate.
Monday, December 10 2012, 08:58 PM CST
Tennessee News
Man pleads guilty to Memphis officer's murder
May 21, 2013 22:22 GMT
MEMPHIS, Tenn. (AP) -- A former death row inmate is set to be released from prison after he pleaded guilty to second-degree murder of a Memphis police officer.
Shelby County District Attorney Amy Weirich said Tuesday that she has accepted Timothy McKinney's guilty plea.
McKinney was convicted of first-degree murder for the fatal shooting of Officer Don Williams. The officer was killed outside a comedy club in December 1997.
McKinney appealed and won a new trial, which ended with a deadlocked jury. A third trial earlier this year also ended in a hung jury.
The Commercial Appeal reports that McKinney was sentenced to 15 years in prison. Since he's already served more than 15 years -- including 11 on death row -- McKinney will be released this week.
Williams' family opposed the settlement.
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