Republican ‘block grant’ plan could cost Tenn. Medicaid program $1 billion by 2027

A Republican proposal under consideration could cause Tennessee’s Medicaid program known as TennCare to lose $1 billion in federal funding by 2027, according to an analysis of block grant legislation. The analysis that predicted the $1 billion reduction was prepared by Avalere, a healthcare consulting group that calculated the costs associated with federal legislation aiming…

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New concealed handgun carry permit axes fee, reduces training requirement

A bill that would create a new concealed handgun carry permit process that requires no fee and only a two-hour, online-training certificate will be heard again March 6. Rep. Andy Holt, R-Dresden, District 76, presented HB1264 to House Judiciary Committee members on Feb. 26. The bill passed by voice vote with three Democratic members requesting…

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GOP Bill to ‘Fast Track’ Death Penalty Convictions Moves to Finance Committee

A bill to “fast track” death penalty convictions will be considered on March 6 in a Tennessee House subcommittee. House Bill 0258, sponsored by Rep. Mary Littleton, R-Dickson, District 78, passed the House Judiciary Committee on Feb. 27. The legislation would remove an appeal to the Court of Criminal Appeals in death penalty cases, which…

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