Governor Bill Lee's administration has released a draft of Amendment 42 outlining the state’s proposal to convert federal funding for Medicaid (TennCare) into a “block grant.” The draft, an executive summary and overview of the amendment is online at:
https://www.tn.gov/tenncare/policy-guidelines/waiver-and-state-plan-public-notices.html 

The block grant proposes to change the way Medicaid (TennCare) is funded:

by April Meredith, Empower Tennessee Independent Living and Advocacy Specialist

Have you ever hosted a party or had company over to your place for dinner? You may have started with some planning questions. When will it be? Who will be invited? What should we eat? Will food be cooked or catered? Then, as those questions were answered, you probably moved on to planning more specific aspects of the gathering such as eating utensils, seating, music selection, and additional activities – all based on the needs and preferences of each particular guest.

On May 24th, 2019, Governor Bill Lee signed legislation to create a Katie Beckett Program into law in Tennessee.

A Katie Beckett Program will establish a pathway to Medicaid and essential wraparound home-and community-based services for children (under age 18) at home, whose condition qualifies them for institutional care, regardless of parent income and resources.

May is an important month for employees who have invisible illnesses! There are several groups in the disability community that celebrate an awareness month in May. During these 30 days, the disability community works to spread awareness around these invisible diseases:

•    Arthritis
•    Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis (ALS)
•    Celiac Disease
•    Cystic Fibrosis 
•    Fibromyalgia
•    Lupus
•    Lyme Disease
•    Stroke