Achieving a Critical Mission in Difficult Times TennCares Financial Viability

December 11, 2003 Achieving a Critical Mission in Difficult Times TennCares Financial Viability Launched in 1994, TennCare represents an historic effort to implement managed care for Tennessee's entire Medicaid population and expand insurance coverage to the states uninsured and uninsurable residents. The programs budget is growing rapidly, from $6.1 billion in fiscal year 2002 to $6.9 billion in fiscal year 2003, with the state paying $2.1 billion of the latter amount. While this increase is not unique to Tennessee (Medicaid expenditures are rising everywhere), the program's growing costs represent a very serious situation for TennCare . . .