NFIB

CoverTN town hall tour stops in five more TN cities
NFIB's ongoing tour to discuss the state's new health-care program, CoverTN, recently stopped in Memphis, Pulaski, Chattanooga, Cleveland and Kingsport. In Pulaski, Deputy Director of the Governor's Office of State Planning and Policy Michael Drescher spoke to a group of small-business owners at First National Bank. He explained how TennCare grew out of control and almost bankrupted the state. He stated that CoverTN must be "a small, limited, manageable program with slow, steady growth." 

NFIB member Dot Hays with Hays Framing Inc. of Chattanooga said she was very interested in the program overall. "It was enlightening," she said. "Even though I am on Medicare, I can offer [CoverTN] to my employees. A couple of them have children and even live in Georgia." The program doesn't prohibit owners with employees who may live in bordering states. However, the state does not pick up their portion; either the employee or employer can pick up that third. In Kingsport, NFIB member Doug Trail with Prudential said CoverTN is another option for consumers: "It will limit your doctor visits, but you can't be too choosy at this price. It won't satisfy everyone, but it will help. It is affordable for both the individual and the employer."

NFIB continues CoverTN tour in Columbia
We've scheduled another town hall grassroots meeting on Wednesday, May 23, at 8 a.m. with the Maury County Alliance in the Columbia Chamber of Commerce board room. For more information, please contact Member Support Manager Valerie Nagoshiner at (866) 798-4578. Additional town hall meetings will be schedule throughout the state over the next few weeks. Visit www.covertn.gov or call (866) CoverTN to learn more about CoverTN.

CoverTN enrollment tops 2,000
CoverTN reached the 2,000 enrollment mark on April 30. The program launched in March, and coverage began April 1. To date, more than 12,000 businesses have pre-qualified. Enrollment is a two-step process. Once a business is confirmed as eligible, BlueCross BlueShield of Tennessee, the program's insurer, sends out enrollment materials, and individuals have 90 days to make a decision. CoverTN creates a partnership between the state, small businesses and their employees to provide coverage for the most needed medical services. It's not a mandated program or an entitlement program; it is a voluntary initiative for uninsured Tennesseans to obtain private insurance. The individual owns the plan, not the state or the company. Visit www.covertn.gov or call (866) CoverTN to learn more.

Support the military guard and reserve
NFIB members have an opportunity to visit with the United States National Guard and Reserve forces to witness the leadership, management and technical skills training provided to your employees while serving our country. Mark your calendars to attend a Bosslift to Gulfport and Camp Shelby Mississippi, May 16-18. For more information, contact ESGR State Chairman Joe Thomas at (615) 613-5773.

Franklin business named Dell/NFIB Excellence in Customer Experience finalist
Medkinetics LLC in Franklin, which supplies physicians, hospitals and managed care organizations with health-care tools for credentialing doctors, hospital privileging and peer review management, was named one of 10 finalists for this year's Dell/NFIB Small Business in Customer Excellence Award. The award, worth $30,000, will be granted to a small-business owner who shows how they have used information technology to drive a significant change or develop a competitive advantage resulting in their ability to deliver superior customer value and experience. The award winner will be announced in July as part of a Dell small-business event. Congratulations to the innovative team at Medkinetics!

Key legislative issues moving
Efforts to put into law Gov. Bredesen's executive order to streamline and add safeguards to the regulatory rule making process passed a key House Committee last week. The bill will be headed to the House Budget Subcommittee before going to the full House for a vote in the next couple of weeks. HB 1276 by Rep. Susan Lynn (Mount Juliet) passed the House State and Local Government Committee on a unanimous voice vote. Its Senate companion bill, SB55, by Sen. Raymond Finney (Maryville) had previously passed in the full Senate 31-0. Also, the House voted 57-37-1 to pass a bill that would create a new Tennessee minimum wage statute. HB 625 by Rep. Mike Turner (Old Hickory) passed after a spirited one-and-a-half hour debate. Its companion bill, SB 1668, by Sen. Doug Jackson (Dickson) will be heard in Senate Commerce, Labor and Agriculture committee next week. Learn more about key legislation here.

Nashville members in the news
NFIB members Chad Danner, general manager of T-Bones Sports Café, and Jeff Messinger, owner of Mount Vernon Restaurant on Broad Street, were quoted in the Chattanooga Times-Free Press expressing their concerns regarding the state's proposed workplace smoking ban. The Tennessee General Assembly is currently debating whether to ban all workplace smoking. Gov. Bredesen has proposed a comprehensive workplace smoking ban with limited exceptions. Final resolution of these bills should occur within a few weeks. 

Sincerely,
Gary Selvy
NFIB/Tennessee State Director
gary.selvy@NFIB.org