TBA Law Blog


Posted by: Stacey Shrader Joslin on Jan 15, 2021

The Tennessee Senate yesterday approved a modified block grant Medicaid program by a vote of 25-6, Tennessee Lookout reports. Supporters of the block grant argued that the state will be able to use “shared savings” in TennCare to increase services to some 1.5 million recipients, mainly pregnant women with children and the state’s neediest elderly and disabled residents. Opponents argued that Medicaid block grants are illegal and can be approved only by congressional action, not by federal regulators. The legislative action comes after federal officials approved the state’s plan. Today, the House passed the plan. The Nashville Post reports on that action. In related news, Tennessee Lookout reports that U.S. Rep. Jim Cooper, D-Nashville, has urged the Biden administration to rescind approval for the plan.