ADVOCACY CAMPAIGN

MEDICAID EXPANSION AND TENNESSEE’S RURAL HOSPITAL CRISIS

Overview: Tennessee leads the nation in rural hospital closures per capita with 11 shuttered hospitals since 2010. The bankruptcy of hospitals in rural areas is an increasing phenomenon in states that have not expanded Medicaid.

Challenge: While Medicaid expansion received support from Republican Gov. Haslam, the issue has been portrayed as a Democratic cause.

Solution: Partnering with powerful messengers that have proved sympathetic to conservative, moderate voters - small business owners, small town government leaders, nurses, and industrial board members.

MckENZIE REGIONAL HOSPITAL CLOSURE

Since McKenzie Regional Hospital closed its doors in September of 2018, families are now facing the uncertainty of a hour-long commute to the hospital in Jackson. The closure of McKenzie’s hospital is the latest casualty in an epidemic plaguing states that did not expand Medicaid. Twelve hospitals have closed in Tennessee since 2010 – more hospitals per capita than any other state in the nation.

CUMBERLAND RIVER HOSPITAL CLOSURE

Tennessee's rural hospitals are contemplating a new way to get paid in an effort to stave off their demise. Until now, there have been few solutions put forward — other than having the state expand TennCare to include the working poor. The latest idea asks insurance companies to prop up rural hospitals, even as they treat fewer patients.