Tennessee State Rep. Gloria Johnson, D-Knoxville attempted to expand Medicaid in Tennessee by invoking the name of Republican Vice President Mike Pence, and it backfired this week, in a big way. As various news outlets reported this week, Johnson and State Sen. Jeff Yarbro, D-Nashville, introduced what they called the “Mike Pence Medicaid Expansion Act of 2019.” According to the Tennessee General Assembly’s website, the bill, if enacted into law, would authorize the governor to expand Medicaid under Obamacare. Johnson and Yarbro put forth an amendment citing “Pence’s work as Indiana’s governor for further support and validation,” according to the Nashville-based FOX News 17. Indiana expanded Medicaid under Obamacare during Pence’s tenure as governor. But Republicans on the House TennCare Subcommittee this week told Johnson she overlooked a few important details. Here is the transcript of what went down, between Johnson and Subcommittee Chairman Matthew Hill, R-Jonesborough. GLORIA JOHNSON: “There is a range of how folks have expanded Medicaid in their state. In Indiana they do have co-pays and things like that. What we’re seeing in Indiana is not as good as what we’re seeing in other states, but I can say that it’s better than what is happening here…
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