The Trump Administration signaled Thursday that it would once again allow states to impose work requirements for some Medicaid recipients. Gubernatorial hopeful Representative Diane Black (R-TN-06) released a statement supporting the decision:
As Chairman of the Budget Committee, I have pushed for work requirements for able-bodied, adult Medicaid recipients. I’m thrilled President Trump agrees and has announced he will give states the flexibility to create work-based health care programs that fit the needs of our individual states. I’m confident that we in Nashville know more about what the people of Tennessee need than bureaucrats in Washington.
When I’m elected Governor, I will immediately request a waiver from HHS to allow Tennessee to impose work requirements for able-bodied, adult Medicaid recipients. It’s not just about protecting taxpayer dollars from fraud and abuse; it’s about creating a culture of work and the dignity that comes from that work. Having grown up in a family that had to work hard for everything we had, I know that work is the only way up in this great country.
Black is currently well in the lead of the five-way field of Republican candidates vying to be the next governor of Tennessee, according to in the latest Tennessee Star / Triton poll:
Rep. Diane Black (R-TN-06) has opened up a ten point lead over Randy Boyd, her closest rival for the Republican gubernatorial nomination in Tennessee, according to a new poll released by The Tennessee Star.
Black received the support of 21 percent of likely Tennessee Republican primary voters to lead the field of five contenders, followed by Boyd in second place with 11 percent. Rounding out the bottom tier of candidates are Speaker of the Tennessee House Beth Harwell (R-Nashville) with 6 percent, Bill Lee with 4 percent, and former State Senator Mae Beavers (R-Mt. Juliet) with 3 percent.
The good news for Black’s four rivals for the GOP nomination is that 52 percent of likely voters in the August 2018 Tennessee Republican gubernatorial primary are still undecided.
The winner of the August 2 GOP primary will face the winner of the Democratic primary in November. Former Nashville Mayor Karl Dean is considered the front runner in the Democratic race, followed in a distant second by State Rep. Craig Fitzhugh (D-Ripley).
Classic political rhetoric. Say what you need to, to get elected. Once elected do what you want. Talk is cheap!
Why has Planned Parenthood not been defunded?
Why does the 2018 Federal Budget spend $600 BILLION dollars more than it takes in?
Why isn’t Representative Black a member of the House Freedom Caucus, like Reps. Desjarlais, Jordan, Meadows, Brat, Amash, et.al?
Yeah, the Trump tax cuts are a start, but the Fed still takes to much of OUR money. As Chairman of the House Budget Committee, Rep Black could have been a conservative leader. But she wasn’t! Why reward her with a promotion?
If this is such a great idea (and it is only a start) then why hasn’t Congressman Black initiated legislation to make it happen? I think that this is called jumping on the bandwagon. Not the type of leadership that Tennesseans deserve.