CHATTANOOGA, Tenn. (AP) — Republican Lamar Alexander said health care options for states need to be seriously considered because of the new federal law's cost burden.
In comments after touring the new Volkswagen plant in Chattanooga, Tennessee's senior U.S. senator said currently there is "no provision for states to opt out."
Alexander said there are parts of the law that states may prefer not to be in. Republican Sen. Scott Brown of Massachusetts is talking about increasing the authority of states to opt out in some areas and Alexander said "we ought to seriously consider that."
Alexander said future costs for Tennessee, such as expanding Medicaid, "will be twice what the state is getting" from the Race to the Top education grant. Tennessee is getting $500 million from that grant for schools.
Measures that would defy parts of the new federal health care law are advancing in the Tennessee Legislature.
