TennCare Enrollees & Friends on Day 10 of Sit In: How YOU Can Help.

ENROLLEES AND FRIENDS REACH DAY 10 OF SIT IN

CONTENTS:
1. TennCare Sit-In: What you can do
2. TennCare Sit-in: Successes so far

1. TennCare: What you can do…
By July 6th:
§ Over 150,000 Tennesseans will receive TERMINATION Letters.
§ About 700,000 will receive BENEFIT LIMIT notification letters.

A. Call, Email and/or Fax Governor Bredesen’s Office:
Phone: 615.741.2001, Fax: 615.532.9711, Email: phil.bredesen@state.tn.us
Share your comments with Governor Bredesen’s Staff and ask them to write it down.
That you want the CUTS to be halted immediately, and,
That you support the courageous enrollees who continue the Sit-In

B. Call, Email and/or Fax Representative Hensley:
Thank him for his public support of the Sit-In and his continued leadership in stopping and reversing the TennCare Cuts.
Phone (615) 741-7476 or rep.joey.hensley@legislature.state.tn.us
Other Legislators to Thank for their presence at the Sit-In:
Representative Michael Kernell (901) 454-1113, rep.mike.kernell@legislature.state.tn.us
Senator Black (615) 230-8586 sen.diane.black@legislature.state.tn.us

C. Organize a night to stay at the Capitol with your friends, family, church, collective, etc
Arrive by 3:30pm, bring your own dinner and snacks.
Call TennCare Enrollee and coordinator: Lisa Abel at 485-1571.
Capitol Rotunda (Just outside of Governor’s Office)
First Floor of the Capitol. Enter through 6th & Union Legislative Plaza Entrance
*Bring Valid ID and no pocket knives, etc.


2. TennCare SIT-IN: Successes so far
A. NEGOTATIONS BEGIN BETWEEN SIT-IN MEMBERS AND GOVERNOR’S STAFF
First formal meeting occurred, yesterday between 4 members of the Sit-In and the Deputy Governor, David Coolley, and Governor Bredesen’s Chief Administrative Officer. The group communicated that they are there to stay until the Governor halts the cuts but also began discussions around the format of a public meeting.

B. PRIVATE DUTY NURSING TO BE REINSTATED FOR OVER 100 TENNESSEANS ON VENTILATORS
Last week the group was able to get Governor Bredesen to agree to reinstate Private Duty Nursing to the 100 plus Tennesseans like Glen Barnhill so that they can continue to receive essential services AND remain at home. This agreement was affirmed in the meeting with Deputy Governor Coolley. They acknowledged they will need to develop a new letter to sent to those TennCare enrollees that will need to be sent out in the very near future. The links below are articles include quotes from Governor Bredesen agreeing to reinstate Private Duty Nursing:
TENNESSEAN ON JUNE 22ND
http://tennessean.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20050622/NEWS0204/506220409/1085/ARCHIVES
NASHVILLE CITYPAPER ON JUNE 22ND
http://www.nashvillecitypaper.com/index.cfm?section=9&screen=news&news_id=42345

C. LOCAL AND NATIONAL MEDIA
Many of you have seen the local press coverage. Most of which has been positive. We have also now been covered by twice by National Public Radio, Pacifica Radio and Democracy Now. The New York Times and Washington Post are considering covering our story. Please email matt@nashvillepeacejustice.org if you have any contact with any national media or magazines such as Mother Jones, Nation, etc.

D. TENNCARE ENROLLEES LEADING THE WAY
It is always a goal of the NPJC to support the activism of those most directly effected. TennCare enrollees and uninsured Tennesseans have been the foundation and mobilizing base of the Sit-In and help us all understand the face of this immense public policy issue.

E. NEW SUPPORT & YOU
There have been a great many organization that have formally and informally supported the Sit-In it has been tremendous. Your encouragement, presence at the capitol and continued calls are making a huge difference. It is clear that you are calling in because we are hearing the phone ring from within the Governor’s Office and hearing the Staff’s response. THANK YOU.

More Details
http://www.tnimc.org/
http://www.mcil.org/
http://www.tenncare.org/