April 29th, 2011
(NASHVILLE, TN), April 26, 2011 — Legislation requiring private insurance plans to include coverage of hearing aids for children was approved by the Senate Finance Committee today. The bill, sponsored by Senator Doug Overbey (R-Maryville) and Representative Richard Montgomery (R-Sevierville), requires that certain health insurance policies provide coverage of up to $1,000 per individual hearing aid per ear, every three years, for every child covered as a dependent by the policy holder.
“Hearing loss affects many children in Tennessee, impairing their ability to process information in school and at home,” said Senator Overbey. “This bill will provide some help for struggling families with the expense of getting these children hearing devices.”
Approval by the House Finance Committee is the last step before the bill is placed on the Senate floor calendar for a final vote. The bill has already passed the House of Representatives by a vote of 82 to 12.
“These are hard economic times for many Tennessee families,” added Overbey. “Insurance coverage for hearing devices is very important to help make them affordable so these children grow and learn. I am very pleased this bill has passed this key committee.”
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April 20th, 2011
(NASHVILLE), April 18, 2011 — Legislation strengthening efforts to ensure Tennessee has a strong financial literacy curriculum was approved by the full Senate on Monday night. Senate Bill 912, sponsored by Senator Doug Overbey (R-Maryville) and Senator Rusty Crowe (R-Johnson City), requires the State Board of Education, in consultation with the Tennessee Financial Literacy Commission, to develop guidelines to strengthen personal finance standards and require that certain financial literacy concepts are included as part of the testing standards for social studies.
“This bill continues our efforts to ensure students have an early foundation in the basics of money management to help give them the tools they need to make good financial decisions that will positively impact their future,” said Senator Overbey. “Tennessee is at the top of the nation in the number of bankruptcies and this legislation is an important step in helping create opportunities to teach good financial practices early in life to get us back on the right track.”
Overbey sponsored legislation in 2006 that established a financial literacy curriculum as a means to satisfy a high school credit requirement and has since continued his efforts to promote financial literacy in middle and elementary grades in Tennessee. Last year, the General Assembly passed a law promoted by State Treasurer David Lillard to create an 11-member Tennessee Financial Literacy Commission (TNFLC) to establish a state clearinghouse of information, resources, and assistance for improving financial literacy.
The Commission has been working with financial literacy efforts like the Smart Tennessee initiative, which is a statewide program to integrate financial literacy into the existing K-12 curriculum. Financial support for that program is provided through a unique public/private partnership between the State of Tennessee and First Tennessee Foundation and is now providing financial literacy curriculum across the state.
This year’s legislation requires TNFLC to conduct a formal review of personal financial standards taught in grades K-8 and recommend revisions to the Department of Education and the State Board of Education. This includes recommending the best means to incorporate the personal finance concepts into existing standardized Social Studies testing for grades five and eight.
“The goal of the curriculum is to teach children how to make sound decisions about money as well as other life choices,” added Overbey. “In the long term, Tennessee should benefit, but more importantly this legislation will have a positive effect on the lives of these individual students and their families.”
To learn more about literacy efforts and curriculum in Tennessee, visit: http://treasury.tn.gov/FinLit/FLCClearinghouse.html
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January 7th, 2011
“I am delighted that Governor-elect Haslam has reappointed Susan Whitaker as Commissioner of the Tennessee Department of Tourist Development. She has done an excellent job and is most deserving of the opportunity to remain in this position of importance. Tourism is a critical component of our state’s economy with a payroll generated by direct travel spending now reaching more than $5.3 billion. It is especially important to Sevier and Blount Counties in our 8th Senatorial District which heavily rely on tourism as an integral part of our economy. I congratulate Governor-elect Haslam for an excellent choice and look forward to continuing to work with Commissioner Whitaker to enhance tourism in our state during the upcoming legislative session.”
Release reference: Haslam Retains Susan Whitaker As Tourist Development Commissioner
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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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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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