Reps. Weaver, Boyd and House Republicans approve TennCare shared savings waiver

January 20, 2021
By:

State Representatives Terri Lynn Weaver, Clark Boyd, and other Tennessee House Republicans recently passed House Joint Resolution 18, which approves the waiver for Tennessee’s shared savings proposal from the Center for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS).

The waiver amendment is the first of its kind in the nation. It rewards Tennessee for its efficient fiscal management and gives the state the ability to better administer TennCare from within Tennessee.

The shared savings plan will allow Tennessee to keep a share of underutilized federal funds to be reinvested in health-related services for TennCare enrollees. These enhanced programs include prioritizing maternal health, serving additional needy populations, eliminating the wait list for intellectual and developmental disability services, and addressing other sate-specific public health crises.

This proposal gives Tennessee more control over TennCare, ensuring a higher quality of care and more efficient services for the approximate 1.4 million Tennesseans enrolled in the program. With the shared savings, TennCare will have the flexibility to add new populations and benefits without federal approval, adequately address fraud, more effectively manage the pharmacy program, and invest in health rather than simply healthcare.

“We have been given the historic opportunity to improve our state’s healthcare system in an innovative way,” said Representatives Weaver and Boyd. “I am proud of the work the General Assembly has put into this plan to pursue a more efficient way to serve our TennCare enrollees, while simultaneously enhancing our already high quality of care.”

The process to approve the proposed waiver began in 2019, when the Tennessee General Assembly passed House Bill 1280. It directed the governor to submit the waiver amendment and negotiate with CMS.

January 19, 2021
By: Dwayne Page

The DeKalb County Sheriff’s Department recently made arrests in separate burglary and theft investigations.

43 year old Stephanie Dawn Hull of Jamestown is charged with burglary of an auto and theft of property. Her bond totals $3,000.

Sheriff Patrick Ray said that on June 9 Hull allegedly broke into and stole a 1998 Nissan Frontier truck valued at $1,000.

In a separate case, 39 year old Mark Denver Young of Barnes Mill Road is charged with 2 counts of theft, and one count each of aggravated burglary and burglary. His bond totals $30,000 and his court appearance in April 15.

Sheriff Ray said that on January 1 Young allegedly stole a tiller from a shed on McMinnville Highway valued at $800. He also allegedly broke into a residence at the same location as the shed on McMinnville Highway and took a Remington 7 millimeter rifle with a Vortex scope valued at $600, a Marlin lever action 30-30 rifle valued at $500, a 22 caliber Cricket rifle valued at $200 and a Bore sight set valued at $200.

25 year old Chasitae Dawn Durham of Antioch Road, Smithville is charged with driving under the influence. Her bond is $1,500 and she will be in court April 15.

Sheriff Ray said that on January 17 while responding to a report of a reckless driver, a deputy spotted a black Dodge Avenger traveling east on Nashville Highway and observed it leave the lane of travel several times. The officer pulled over the vehicle and spoke with the driver, Durham. When she got out of the automobile, Durham was unsteady on her feet and she had an odor of alcohol on her. She submitted to but performed poorly on field sobriety tasks. Durham admitted to having consumed alcohol before driving.

January 19, 2021
By: Dwayne Page

DeKalb County Volunteer Firefighter Jordan Lader of the Johnson’s Chapel Station received the DeKalb Telephone Cooperative (DTC) Rookie of the Year Award Saturday night during the annual department awards program.

The award was presented by Captain/Training Officer Brian Williams. Training is the sole criteria used in the Rookie of the Year selection

“ During Firefighter Lader’s 12-month rookie period, he completed 185 hours of training which includes completion of the 64-hour Basic Firefighter Training and the 22-hour Live Burn Training at the Fire Academy. In addition, he has completed a long list of extra training courses to improve his firefighting skills. “We certainly want to recognize recruits who demonstrate an outstanding level of commitment to training. Our department is fortunate to have an excellent group of recruits who have contributed to our department being recognized with elite training awards for 12 consecutive years. We are proud of all of them and are honored to present this award to Firefighter Jordan Lader,” said Captain Williams.

Meanwhile, the Liberty Station was honored with the First Bank Station of the Year Award.

Lieutenant Kristie Johnson presented the award.

“This award is selected from among the 12 stations of the DeKalb County Fire Department based upon community service and work sessions provided by the station. In 2020, the Liberty Station excelled in both these criteria by demonstrating commitment to training through station drills, participating in the response team deployment to the Putnam County tornado event in March, volunteering to help remove a large tree from an elderly couple’s lawn in Dowelltown, participating in the DeKalb West School “Welcome Back to School” in August, hosting a community Halloween Give-Back Event in Liberty, and several members assisted with the preparation and delivery of the Thanksgiving meal program hosted by the DeKalb Emergency Services Association. In December, the station selected 3 needy families in the Liberty/Dowelltown communities for which they provided Christmas dinner and gifts for the children. “Based upon the excellent community service and display of station pride, the Liberty Station was awarded this recognition by our panel of sponsorship judges,” said Lt. Johnson.