Bill Lee on Health Care

	Bill Lee on Health Care

Defies judges; lets parents opt out of mask mandates

Lee is extending an Executive Order letting parents opt their children out of mask mandates in schools, despite the order being blocked by multiple judges. "I've been incredibly disappointed by the rulings from federal judges who've chosen to legislate from the bench," Lee said. "Parents should be the ones who decide. Parents know what is best for their children and should have the last word on health and welfare for their children." Source: WZTV on 2022 Tennessee Gubernatorial race , Sep 30, 2021

Tennessee first state to get Medicaid block grant waiver

Tennessee became the first state in history to receive a Medicaid block grant waiver from the federal government. This waiver will allow those in our Medicaid population to reap the benefit from our state's strong fiscal management of the TennCare program. Let me be clear: if partisan attacks that call for this block grant to be rescinded prevail, the state will not get these shared savings dollars that we plan to use to improve healthcare for vulnerable Tennesseans. Source: 2021 State of the State Address to the Tennessee legislature , Feb 8, 2021

Create K-12 Mental Health Trust Fund for teachers & students

We're expanding the outreach capacity of our Department of Mental Health, growing our school-based behavioral health liaison program from 36 to all 95 counties. I'm proposing the creation of a K-12 Mental Health Trust Fund of $250 million in one-time funds to support the growth and placement of mental health support services in our most-at-risk schools. It is our expectation that Tennessee will lead the nation in bringing mental health support to our teachers and to our students. Source: 2020 State of the State Address to the Tennessee legislature , Feb 3, 2020

Extend postpartum coverage under TennCare to 12 months

This budget also proposes changes to our TennCare program that will benefit young families. We are launching a three-year pilot to extend postpartum coverage to 12 months for mothers covered by TennCare. We're also expanding preventive dental services to mothers on TennCare. My proposal would provide a dental and oral health benefit to pregnant women who do not currently receive dental benefits during the time of pregnancy through 60 days post-delivery. Source: 2020 State of the State Address to the Tennessee legislature , Feb 3, 2020

Community/faith-based care, not big government

So that more uninsured Tennesseans have access to quality primary and preventative-care services, we are providing additional funding to our health care safety net which supports community and faith-based care centers serving those who do not have health insurance coverage. We will continue to work with the General Assembly and with Washington to look for waiver opportunities that help us increase insurance coverage without big government strings attached. Source: 2019 State of the State address to the Tennessee legislature , Mar 6, 2019

Expand funding for mental health treatment

I am recommending an increase of $11 million in recurring funds to our Behavioral Health Safety Net and our Regional Mental Health Institutes. These investments will help us serve thousands more of our most vulnerable Tennesseans, most of which do not currently have health insurance. Tennessee's suicide rate is 20% higher than the national average. For that reason, I'm proposing a $1.1 million investment that will expand the state's partnership with the Tennessee Suicide Prevention Network. Source: 2019 State of the State address to the Tennessee legislature , Mar 6, 2019

ObamaCare will not expand in Tennessee under my watch

Q: Support or Repeal ACA, aka ObamaCare? Accept ACA's Medicaid expansion to subsidize low-income participants?

Karl Dean (D): Support ACA. Expand Medicaid. "My biggest health care priority would be making sure all Tennesseans have access to quality and affordable health care."

Bill Lee (R): Repeal ACA & oppose Medicaid expansion. "ObamaCare will not expand in Tennessee under my watch."

Source: 2018 CampusElect.org Issue Guide on Tennessee Governor race , Oct 9, 2018

Out-of-box approach to healthcare: create your own system

It is time to lead the way in reforming our healthcare system. Instead of relying on a new or expanded government program, we should turn our attention inward to Tennessee's own capacity to innovate. We can create greater competition for health coverage and we can challenge the traditional model for delivering healthcare. We can reform anti-competitive rules, empower medical professionals to work directly with patients and reward the innovations that save costs and time for the consumer. Source: 2018 Tennessee Gubernatorial website BillLee.com , Jul 4, 2018

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