The Tennessee Senate Health and Welfare committee has officially killed a bill that would have provided health insurance to thousands of low-income Tennesseans. The plan, known as Insure Tennessee, was being touted by Governor Bill Haslam as an alternative to the federal Affordable Care Act. However, the administration couldn't get enough votes to push it through the Senate committee. The Senate committee vote came only moments after House speaker Beth Harwell announced she didn't have enough votes to get the bill approved in the House.
Supporters of Haslam's proposal say it would have provided health insurance for 280,000 residents of Tennessee. Opponents say it would have been an example of the federal government over-extending its authority.