RUTHERFORD COUNTY, TN - State Rep. Charlie Baum, R-Murfreesboro, is advocating for an expansion of TennCare that aims to provide short-term benefits for Tennesseans in need while bolstering support for rural hospital systems. House Bill 0018 would establish a temporary medical assistance benefit program, expanding the income threshold to include certain individuals who do not currently qualify for existing state medical assistance programs.
“This expansion fills a critical gap in coverage for citizens facing unemployment or unforeseen crises, while providing vital financial support to hospital systems, especially in rural areas who typically see more uninsured patients,” Baum said. “Tennessee would lead the charge as one of the first states in the nation to offer short-term benefits like this through its state Medicaid program.”
According to the Tennessee Hospital Association, Tennessee has seen 16 hospital closures since 2010, with 13 of those in rural areas, primarily due to financial instability, exacerbating the growing gap in access to health care.
The proposed program would provide medical benefits to eligible children and adults for up to 12 months within a 24-month period, with a maximum total coverage of 60 months. For children, eligibility limits would reset on their 21st birthday.
TennCare - "As introduced, directs the bureau to establish a temporary TennCare benefits program to provide medical assistance on a temporary basis to certain individuals who do not qualify for enrollment in TennCare, CoverKids, or a successor program; requires the bureau to submit a waiver to the federal centers for medicare and medicaid services by December 31, 2025." - Amends TCA Title 71, Chapter 5.
Eligible individuals would include those whose income, or their family’s income, does not exceed 138% of the federal poverty level (FPL) and who are not currently enrolled in other medical assistance programs. For instance, a single person earning up to $20,140 annually or a family of four earning up to $41,520 may qualify for this program.
Funding for the program would come from 90% federal funds and 10% state funds. TennCare officials would need to submit a waiver application to the federal government by the end of 2025, and if approved, the program could become effective on July 1, 2026.
House Bill 0018 unanimously passed out of the TennCare Subcommittee on February 11 and is set to be heard in the Insurance Committee in the coming weeks. Rep. Charlie Baum represents District 37, which includes part of Rutherford County. Read the bill HERE.
