February 2, 2008

Don't Stop, Thief!

When the Tennessee Republican Party speaks, Democrat Gov. Phil Bredesen listens. Here's his latest attempt to co-opt a longstanding Republican proposal:

Tennessee GOP Press Release, Dec. 13, 2007:
The Tennessee Republican Party today blamed Gov. Phil Bredesen's failure to support Republican efforts to expand programs to allow more elderly Tennesseans to receive care in their homes rather than in nursing homes for making the current nursing home crisis in Tennessee worse than it had to be.

"Republican Sen. Diane Black of Gallatin has been pushing legislation for three years that would have significantly increased the use of in-home healthcare for the state's Medicaid-eligible elderly population – which would have both lowered healthcare costs for the state and increased care alternatives to nursing homes in advance of the current crackdown - but the governor, despite his legendary healthcare business expertise, has shown no interest in it," said Bill Hobbs, communications director for the Tennessee Republican Party. "That has to change."

Governor wants elderly to get more help at home - Tennessean, Feb 2, 2008:
Gov. Phil Bredesen wants to put another $12 million into alternative services this year so the state can help 6,000 elderly stay home or in assisted living facilities.

Because, whether it's home-based nursing care for the elderly or taking steps to address the state's growing water infrastructure problems or supporting automatic license revocation for drunk drivers, when Gov. Bredesen decides to copy, adopt or swipe proposals the Republicans have long been pushing for, it is the people of Tennessee who win.