July 7th, 2010
6/29/10 Governor Bredesen holds a Ceremonial Bill Signing - SB 3528 (Annual Coverage Assessment Act)
(NASHVILLE, TN), July 7, 2010 – Governor Phil Bredesen recently signed legislation sponsored by State Senator Doug Overbey (R-Maryville) to prevent potentially catastrophic cuts to Tennessee hospitals as a result of budget cuts proposed earlier this year in the state’s 2010-2011 budget.
Hospitals asked the General Assembly to enact a coverage assessment in order to raise $230 million. Money raised will be used to draw down federal funds available through a temporary Medicaid match program officially approved by the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) on June 30.
“I am pleased the General Assembly passed this legislation and the governor has signed it into law,” said Senator Overbey. ”Without this legislation, many of our hospitals, particularly those in rural areas, would have faced severe consequences and possibly closure.”
“The hospital coverage assessment will restore $659 million in proposed cuts to the TennCare program by allowing hospitals to temporarily “step into the state’s shoes” to fund a significant portion of the program,” said Craig A. Becker, president, Tennessee Hospital Association (THA).
“We appreciate the strong leadership of Senator Doug Overbey and his sponsorship of the bill in the Senate,” Becker continued. “We also would like to thank House sponsor Joe Armstrong for his unwavering support and all the other legislators who signed on to the bill and voted for it.”
Language in the legislation, Senate Bill 3528, ensures that any assessment imposed by this legislation would not be passed along to patients. The assessment is based on 3.52 percent of a hospital’s net patient revenue according to its 2008 Medicare cost report. Local government hospitals, critical access hospitals, freestanding rehabilitation hospitals, long-term acute care hospitals and pediatric research hospitals are not included in the assessment, as well as state mental health institutes.
“As with all TennCare providers, the Tennessee Association of Mental Health Organizations’ (TAMHO) membership recognizes that the most important legislation passed this year was Senate Bill 3528,” said Charles Blackburn, Executive Director of TAMHO in a letter to Overbey.
Twenty-six other states have a similar assessment plan to provide funding for their Medicaid programs and twelve additional states are currently considering such a plan.
A few examples of the cuts that would be restored include those to critical access hospitals, the Graduate Medical Education program, a $10,000 cap on inpatient and the 8-visit limit imposed on outpatient services, therapies, and office visits. Money raised by the fee will provide funds for the medically needy program and payments to reimburse hospitals for a portion of their uncompensated TennCare.
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July 2nd, 2010
July 4, 2010
Dear Friends,
More than two hundred years ago, an assembly of brave and determined Americans met to announce to the world the birth of a new nation – a nation born of ideals rather than of coercion, where the power to govern rested with the consent of the people.
Adams, Franklin, and Jefferson — starting with just a few words etched on simple parchment, these bold colonists set in motion a radical experiment in democracy and free enterprise. In time, that experiment would be known to people all over the world by many different names — the Land of the Free, the Home of the Brave, the Arsenal of Democracy, the Shining City on a Hill, and the World’s Last Best Hope.
As modern Americans, who have enjoyed these blessings for so long, it is easy for us to forget just how groundbreaking this experiment really was. Not surprising, the Declaration of Independence signed by those visionaries caused panic in the capitals of Europe. It struck fear in the courts of monarchs and despots, most of who believed that government and tyranny were one in the same.
But the Declaration of Independence also inspired enlightened men everywhere — statesmen, scientists, philosophers, and theologians — to abandon old ways of power and privilege and embrace new ideals of freedom and justice. Slowly, they began to remake the world on principles that the Founders believed were self-evident.
And the world has never been the same.
Today, amid the spectacular fireworks and quiet backyard barbecues, we reflect on the precious endowment given to our nation — and to our world — by the Founders. And we pause to remember the tremendous effort and sacrifice rendered by millions of Americans – including those who still fight for freedom in Afghanistan and Iraq — who have preserved that endowment for generations yet to come.
The volunteer spirit is alive and well, and I’m proud of the many brave Tennesseans, who, like their ancestors before them, loved their country enough to defend it. They, like their forbearers, are literally changing our world. Our prayers continue to go out for their safe return.
May God protect and defend our troops. And, may God bless America.
Sincerely,
Doug Overbey
State Senator
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June 8th, 2010
NASHVILLE, Tenn. — Fifty-four legislators won donations for charities in their communities during the Tennessee Health Care Association’s (THCA) annual "Partnering for Charity" event, including Sen. Doug Overbey, who won $150 for A Secret Safe Place for Newborns of Tennessee.
The lawmakers tossed a football to earn contributions to charities of their choice throughout the state. Among those charities receiving donations this year were Boys & Girls Clubs, St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital and the American Cancer Society. Local senior centers, libraries, schools, churches and other organizations were also chosen for donations.
Each year, the charity giveaway is a highlight of THCA’s Legislative Conference, an event that brings long-term care professionals together with state lawmakers to discuss what it takes to provide quality services for the state’s elderly and disabled.
"Each year, our members enjoy partnering with their legislators to raise money for charities," THCA Executive Director Ron Taylor said. "In addition to providing 24-hour care to the elderly and disabled, this is one more way for nursing homes to give back to the communities they serve. The charities appreciate the donations, and we are honored that so many legislators join us for this special event."
The Tennessee Health Care Association is a nonprofit association representing long-term care facilities throughout the state. For more information about nursing homes, contact THCA at (615) 834-6520 or visit www.thca.org.
For more information, contact:
Jay Moore
Director of Communications
Tennessee Health Care Association
(615) 834-6520
jmoore@thca.org
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May 26th, 2010
Contact: Darlene Schlicher (615) 741-6336 or email: darlene.schlicher@capitol.tn.us
(NASHVILLE, TN), May 25, 2010 — The State Senate has approved a major job creation bill sponsored by State Senator Doug Overbey (R-Maryville) to expand the state’s TNInvestco tax credit program by $80 million. The innovative new program provides investment capital to small, medium and start up businesses in Tennessee and is considered a model job growth plan by other states.
“Small businesses provide 67 percent of first jobs and produce the majority of innovations,” said Senator Overbey, who also sponsored the bill which implemented the program. “However, access to capital is a huge obstacle to success. This legislation provides a vehicle for small and start up businesses to take an innovative idea and commercialize it, creating jobs for Tennesseans.”
In October, six investment firms were chosen to receive an allocation of $20 million dollars in gross premiums tax credits which are then marketed to insurance companies to create a pool of venture capital funds for investment in start-up and mid-stage companies in Tennessee. The legislation would allow the program to include four additional participants already selected as alternates. It also adds improvements to the bill to increase transparency and accountability in the program. Overbey said the improvements include a scorecard kept by the state to make sure that qualified TNInvestcos are following program guidelines and obligations to maximize investment potential.
Under the plan, investors receive a tax credit against insurance premiums taxes that spread over years three through ten of the program. Even though the capital will be available for small businesses immediately, there are no tax credits for investors until 2012. Capital returned to the state through the program must first go to the General Fund, with any remaining funds to be deposited in the Rural Opportunity Fund which helps economically distressed counties grow jobs. Other state programs are generally dollar for dollar subsidies.
“Innovation does not know geographical boundaries,” added Overbey. “What truly separates this program from those being used in other states is that it will pay for itself down the road and puts money into the Rural Opportunity Fund. That fund focuses on job growth in some of the most economically distressed areas of the state where unemployment is very high.”
“TNInvestco allows us to create jobs, provide capital for small and start up businesses and also helps us get our seed investment back,” Overbey continued. “I am very pleased the bill was approved in our State Senate.”
The bill is pending action in the House Finance Committee where it will be heard today. It will then go to the House floor for final action as the General Assembly is looking to conclude their business by next week.
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Reference: Senate Bill 3049 / Other details on the program can be founds at www.tninvestco.gov
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April 21st, 2010
(NASHVILLE, TN), April 13, 2010 — The Senate has approved legislation sponsored by Senator Doug Overbey (R-Maryville) that would provide assistance to homeowners who are about to lose their home due to non-payment and gives them the opportunity to contact their lender in an effort to avoid foreclosure. The bill, Senate Bill 3519, works to find a resolution and to see if there are any governmental programs or other assistance available to homeowners to help them avoid a foreclosure sale
“This bill provides more opportunity for homeowners to work with their bank to try and find some resolution to avoid a foreclosure sale or to see if there are any governmental programs available that they can qualify for to avoid a foreclosure sale,” said Senator Overbey. “It is a timely bill given where we are in the current state of the economy and the high number of foreclosures.”
Tennessee ranked 26th in the nation in February according to Realty Trac Inc.’s U.S. Foreclosure Market Report. The state has consistently ranked among states with the highest number of foreclosures for the past decade.
Overbey’s legislation requires that a lender, trustee, or other creditor send the debtor a notice of the right to foreclose no less than 60 days prior to the first publication of a notice of a foreclosure sale of a deed of trust, mortgage, or other lien securing the payment on an owner-occupied residence. The notice must contain sufficient information to allow the debtor to contact the lender to discuss options available to the debtor. If the trustee determines at the time of the sale that notice of the right to foreclose was not sent to the debtor as required, the debtor may request postponement of the sale for 30 to 60 additional days to allow time needed to examine other possible resolutions.
“This is a time of great hardship for many Tennessee families who are having trouble making their mortgage payments,” added Overbey. “This legislation gives them an additional tool to help them save their home by working out a resolution with their lender.”
The bill now goes to Governor Phil Bredesen for his signature.
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December 14th, 2009
December 6, 2009
Thank you for the tremendous honor to be among you today. In front of us, we have freedom’s heroes. It’s because of men and women like these that we enjoy freedom in this country. Thank you for your service.
We are eight years removed from 9-11. As we get further from that fateful day, it is easier for some to forget the terror that occurred on that day.
Many say, we won’t forget but I wonder just how many of us may have thought today about the unannounced military strike against a US naval base in the Pacific Ocean that occurred 68 years ago. Let’s remember those who lost their lives at Pearl Harbor and let’s remember 9-11.
Continued acts of cowardice should serve to remind us that we remain under attack from an enemy who chooses to hide behind innocent victims, including those of their own nationality and beliefs. Thank God we have men and women willing to risk their lives to fight this evil. We appreciate your sacrifice.
And, thank you for representing us — and I mean our nation, our state, and our local hometowns — with honor. In this world of new technology, we have seen the many images of heroism of the finest men and women our nation has to offer from our armed services. Our soldiers continue to show the heart and soul of this country.
We have seen the compassion shown to a people who have knew nothing but tyranny and terror before Operation Enduring Freedom….Those people and their children — and the direction they will take in the future — will be forever changed for the better because of your service. You have extended a helping hand to a nation that would otherwise represent a threat to the peace and stability — and that, in turn, affects the safety and security of the world.
If not for soldiers like you – our patriotic Tennessee volunteers and ambassadors of freedom – the world would be a dark place. I join millions of your fellow Americans who believe that your service to our nation is nothing short of inspirational.
Today I am humbled and honored to present to Captain Wingo on behalf of Alpha Battery a Tennessee flag flown over our state capitol to go with you on this journey. May it wave proudly as it follows this unit to Iraq and serve to remind you of your Tennessee home and the people of this state who are so proud to call you native sons and daughters.
Thank you for representing our nation, our state, and our hometowns with honor. We are proud of you. But most of all we offer our prayers that we will have you back home safe.
God bless you and may God bless America!
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