Republican Gov. Bill Haslam says his proposal to extend health coverage to 280,000 low-income Tennesseans is needed to improve lives.
Haslam told lawmakers Monday night it's also needed to fix what Haslam calls a "broken health care system."
Haslam's plan calls on state hospitals to pay the $74 million state share to draw down $2.8 billion dollars in federal Medicaid money to offer coverage to more uninsured Tennesseans.
But many fellow Republicans in the Legislature are dubious about Haslam's plan because it relies on funds available under President Barack Obama's health care law.
Haslam asked lawmakers to look past the proposal's connection to Obama, and reassured them the state has the right to end the program.
