NASHVILLE, Tenn. (AP) — Some State Senators are questioning the Attorney General’s legal opinion regarding Gov. Bill Haslam’s plan to expand Medicare in Tennessee.
State Attorney General Herbert Slatery says the state will be able to cancel the proposed Insure Tennessee plan to provide health insurance to low-income Tennesseans if costs exceed expectations.
But yesterday in a senate Judicial Committee hearing, some Senators took issue with that legal opinion. Republican Senator Mike Bell of Riceville told the hearing he fears Tennessee could end up in a federal lawsuit.
“As much as I respect the Attorney General’s opinion and his position, it won’t be what he has written and decided, but it will be what a federal judge will decide at that time.”
Gov. Haslam has called a special legislative session next week to take up his Insure Tennessee proposal. The governor has stressed the plan would come at no extra costs to the taxpayers.
The proposal is opposed by many Republicans who are reluctant to agree to any initiative connected to President Obama’s signature Affordable Health Care plan.