Senator Overbey has a survey website to get a gauge on the desires of the people here.

This week there is a plan that would help hospitals avoid devastating cuts

Members of the Senate General Welfare, Health and Human Services Committee voted this week to approve a plan to help hospitals avoid almost $659 million in cuts proposed in Governor Phil Bredesen's 2010-2011 budget. Hospitals have asked the General Assembly to assess a coverage assessment on them in order to raise $230 million. Money raised would be used to draw down $430 million in federal funds available through a temporary Medicaid match program.

Language in the legislation, Senate Bill 3528, also ensures that any assessment would not be passed along to patients. In addition, hospitals have negotiated, contracted rates with payers that would prevent them from passing the fee on to patients.

Hospital officials say the budget cuts, if not restored, would have a long-term impact on TennCare enrollees, hospitals and other providers and patients, particularly Level 1 trauma centers and hospitals in the most rural areas of the state. It would also have severe ramification for high cost services, such as treatments needed for burn, perinatal and hemophilia patients.

... read the rest of the story by Subscribing now.