October 19th, 2010
NASHVILLE – The Tennessee Hospitality Association has today announced that Sen. Doug Overbey, R-Maryville and Rep. Richard Montgomery, R-Sevierville, have been named “Legislators of the Year” for 2010.
“These two legislators have been great friends to the hospitality industry and to hotel and restaurant employees across the state,” said Greg Adkins, CEO of the Tennessee Hospitality Association. “Keeping tourists coming to Tennessee and ensuring that the Department of Tourism is well-funded are extremely important. Their efforts help keep the doors open at restaurants and hotels across the state and are critical to Tennesseans and to our state’s economy.”
This year is the first that the Tennessee Hospitality Association has given the “Legislator of the Year” honor. Overbey and Montgomery were chosen to receive the award because of their tireless advocacy on behalf of the state’s hospitality industry in 2010 and their efforts to ensure the Department of Tourism received adequate funding.
“Tennessee’s tourism generated a $14.4 billion economic impact to the state’s economy,” said Senator Overbey. “This translates into 184,700 jobs for Tennesseans in the state’s tourism industry. It is imperative that our state’s public policy protects and promotes growth of this industry which is such a vital part of our economy.”
“Tourism is a major economic driver for our area,” added Representative Montgomery. “It is an honor to work with and help those in the hospitality industry both in Sevier County and at the state level, which has a positive impact on all citizens in our communities.”
The Tennessee Hospitality Association is the voice of lodging and dining establishments in the state of Tennessee. TnHA provides education and training for industry employees and represents the interests of the hospitality industry at the local, state and national levels. Learn more about TnHA at www.tnhospitality.net. ###
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September 24th, 2010
(NASHVILLE, TN, September 21, 2010 – State Senator Doug Overbey (R- Maryville)) has been named “Legislator of the Year” in Tennessee for his efforts on behalf of citizens with mental illness. The award “in recognition of his dedication to the health and mental health of the people of Tennessee” was presented to Overbey this past weekend in Chattanooga by the National Alliance on Mental Illness (NAMI), a nationwide advocacy group.
“This award is a great honor and I am humbled to receive it,” said Senator Overbey. “It is very important that patients have access to treatment and the kind of recovery supports needed to improve our mental health system. We must address financial barriers to effective treatment. I appreciate this recognition and am glad to partner with NAMI to push for better healthcare services for those who suffer from mental illness in Tennessee.”
Overbey received the award as over 350 mental health care consumers, family members, mental health service providers, veterans and university students looked on. In presenting the Award, Sita Diehl, NAMI’s recent executive director, cited Overbey’s work on legislation which restored $659 million in proposed cuts to the TennCare program. The cuts would have drastically affected patients with mental illness.
“The many bills you have sponsored will protect people with mental illness and ensure the stability of mental health consumers and families in Tennessee,” Roger Stewart, Interim Director of NAMI Tennessee told Overbey. “As the economy continues to present major challenges, your pledge to support the mental health community is deeply appreciated. We are fortunate that a person of your caliber serves the people of Tennessee in the state legislature.”
NAMI is the nation’s largest grassroots organization for people with mental illness and their families. Founded in 1979, NAMI has affiliates in every state and in more than 1,100 local communities across the country. The organization is dedicated to the eradication of mental illnesses and to the improvement of the quality of life for persons of all ages who are affected by mental illnesses.
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September 21st, 2010
If all the members of the Tennessee General Assembly worked as hard and as enthusiastically as State Senator Doug Overbey of Maryville, we would undoubtedly have an even better state. He represents Blount and Sevier counties.
While Senator Overbey and Governor Phil Bredesen are of different political parties, they have generally held common-sense approaches to problems and treated state government more like a business.
The big difference between business and government is that when government doesn’t make ends meet it increases taxes; when a business doesn’t make ends meet it either takes positive corrective action or goes out of business.
Senator Overbey has an advantage which those of us not well versed in details of laws lack. As a well qualified attorney, he can and does try to propose common-sense legislation that means what it says. We feel like over the years we have had too many strictly politically oriented attorneys in the legislature who perhaps deliberately included loopholes in legislation which undermined the intent of the law.
Too often the public sees business interests as it applies to “big” business. To the contrary at least 65 percent of the businesses are small businesses, Mom-and-Pop type operations. Blount county alone has about 5,300 licensed businesses. About 75% of new jobs come from existing business industry.
Some 67% of all jobs are provided by small businesses.
Senator Overbey was recently applauded by the Tennessee Chamber of Commerce for his “100 percent business-positive, pro jobs voting record,” one of eight best pro-business legislators.
He either initiated or was strongly supportive of six key pieces of legislation enacted this past session:
- Senate Bill 2049 which expanded the state’s tax credit program by $80 million, an innovative new program providing investment capital to small businesses in Tennessee and its considered a model job growth plan by other states
- Senate Bill 3522 which updates and improves the state’s trust laws to keep the state competitive as a prime place for investments. It updates and adds flexibility in administering trust estates and placing Tennessee ahead of other states in desirability for trust administration.
- Senate Bill 3519 that provides 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.
- Senate Bill 2721 which closes a loophole in state law that has allowed sexual predators to escape on a technically [sic].
- Senate Bill 2505 ensuring that school gymnasiums are equipped with automatic external defibrillators which will dramatically reduce the fatality rate due to unexpected cardiac arrest.
- Senate Bill 3528 that prevents potentially catastrophic cuts to Tennessee hospitals proposed in the budget earlier in the year. Allowing for a draw down of federal funds through a temporary Medicaid match program which would allow many hospitals, especially in rural areas, to avoid severe consequences and possible closure.
Not anyone can please everyone. We do not always totally agree with Senator Overbey’s views. However, he makes himself readily available to hear both sides of issues. And above all, we think he “earns his keep” through his hard-working effort as state senator.
“Sen. Doug Overbey earns his pay filing common-sense bills”
The Daily Times, Our Voice. 13 Sep. 2010
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August 24th, 2010
(NASHVILLE, TN, August 24, 2010 – State Senator Doug Overbey (R- Maryville) has been named "Legislator of the Year" in Tennessee for his efforts on behalf of citizens with intellectual disabilities. The award was presented to Overbey on Thursday at the Annual Awards of Excellence sponsored by the Tennessee Network of Community Organizations (TNCO) in Murfreesboro. The state advocacy group honors a Senator and Representative each year for their work in furthering and/or bettering the lives of people with intellectual disabilities through legislative initiatives.
"This award is a great honor and I am humbled to receive it," said Senator Overbey. "I am very pleased to partner with TNCO to work towards progress to expand opportunities for those with intellectual disabilities."
TNCO is a statewide organization comprised of not-for-profit organizations, such as Sertoma and the Douglas Adult Cooperative, whose missions are to assist those with disabilities. "TNCO and its constituent members do an excellent job in representing the needs of our citizens with disabilities before the legislature." Senator Overbey added.
In accepting the award, Overbey said, "Although others are more deserving of this recognition, I’m truly touched and grateful. Receiving this award means more to me than you will ever know."
Overbey was the sponsor of major legislation this year which prevented potentially catastrophic cuts to Tennessee hospitals as a result of budget cuts proposed earlier this year in the state’s 2010-2011 budget. Last year, he was co-prime sponsor of legislation to rename the state’s Division of Mental Retardation Services the "Division of Intellectual Disabilities."
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August 23rd, 2010
New Distributed Antenna System Provides Additional Capacity to Help Enhance Wireless Experience for Caregivers, Patients and Visitors
SEVIERVILLE, Tenn., Aug. 12, 2010 — As part of its continuing network investment to support growing the demand for advanced mobile devices and applications, AT&T* has announced the activation of a new antenna system at LeConte Medical Center that will help to enhance wireless service for caregivers, patients and visitors at the new medical center in Sevierville, which is part of the Knoxville-based Covenant Health system.
Known as a Distributed Antenna System, or DAS, the installation consists of several strategically placed antennas that distribute AT&T’s wireless network coverage throughout LeConte Medical Center, providing for more efficient management of wireless capacity in heavily trafficked areas. The additional capacity will help to improve call reliability, increase download speeds and enable more consistent network access to help customers make the most of their AT&T devices.
“LeConte Medical Center is a picture of technology at work in healthcare and the enhanced voice and data coverage capability by AT&T makes it even better,” said State Rep. Richard Montgomery.
LeConte Medical Center opened earlier this year and offers comprehensive inpatient and outpatient services, including a spacious emergency department that provides care 24-hours a day, seven days a week. The surgery department features four surgical suites and two endoscopy suites. The Dolly Parton Birthing Unit offers family-centered maternity care in comfortable rooms, complete with views of the Smoky Mountains. Read the rest of this entry »
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August 12th, 2010
(NASHVILLE, TN), August 6, 2010 — State Senator Doug Overbey (R-Maryville) has been recognized as one of the eight best pro-business legislators in the Tennessee General Assembly by a key business magazine published by the Tennessee Chamber of Commerce. The publication congratulated Overbey for a “100 percent business-positive, pro-jobs voting record.”
“Senator Overbey understands the challenges Tennessee businesses face, and during the 106th General Assembly supported legislation the business community tracked deemed to be pro business,” said Bradley Jackson, of the Tennessee Chamber of Commerce & Industry. “We thank him for his support of the thousands of hardworking businessmen and women across this state.”
The announcement was made in the most recent publication of Business TN, which each year selects the best state lawmakers based on their efforts in keeping “taxes low and regulation minimal.” The publication also chose the honorees based on their legislative stances and their ability to have a positive effect on the state’s business climate. All eight lawmakers sited obtained a 100 percent pro-business voting record.
“Job creation and providing small and start-up companies with access to capital to grow and expand played an important role in my decision to sponsor legislation creating the TNInvestco program,” Overbey said. ”I am honored to be recognized as a friend of business. We must continue to foster a positive business climate to attract new and better paying jobs to our state. I look forward to continuing to partner with our business community as we work to provide more opportunities for Tennesseans in the future.”
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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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