August 24th, 2010
(NASHVILLE, TN, August 24, 2010 – State Senator Doug Overbey (R- Maryville) has been named "Legislator of the Year" in Tennessee for his efforts on behalf of citizens with intellectual disabilities. The award was presented to Overbey on Thursday at the Annual Awards of Excellence sponsored by the Tennessee Network of Community Organizations (TNCO) in Murfreesboro. The state advocacy group honors a Senator and Representative each year for their work in furthering and/or bettering the lives of people with intellectual disabilities through legislative initiatives.
"This award is a great honor and I am humbled to receive it," said Senator Overbey. "I am very pleased to partner with TNCO to work towards progress to expand opportunities for those with intellectual disabilities."
TNCO is a statewide organization comprised of not-for-profit organizations, such as Sertoma and the Douglas Adult Cooperative, whose missions are to assist those with disabilities. "TNCO and its constituent members do an excellent job in representing the needs of our citizens with disabilities before the legislature." Senator Overbey added.
In accepting the award, Overbey said, "Although others are more deserving of this recognition, I’m truly touched and grateful. Receiving this award means more to me than you will ever know."
Overbey was the sponsor of major legislation this year which prevented potentially catastrophic cuts to Tennessee hospitals as a result of budget cuts proposed earlier this year in the state’s 2010-2011 budget. Last year, he was co-prime sponsor of legislation to rename the state’s Division of Mental Retardation Services the "Division of Intellectual Disabilities."
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August 23rd, 2010
New Distributed Antenna System Provides Additional Capacity to Help Enhance Wireless Experience for Caregivers, Patients and Visitors
SEVIERVILLE, Tenn., Aug. 12, 2010 — As part of its continuing network investment to support growing the demand for advanced mobile devices and applications, AT&T* has announced the activation of a new antenna system at LeConte Medical Center that will help to enhance wireless service for caregivers, patients and visitors at the new medical center in Sevierville, which is part of the Knoxville-based Covenant Health system.
Known as a Distributed Antenna System, or DAS, the installation consists of several strategically placed antennas that distribute AT&T’s wireless network coverage throughout LeConte Medical Center, providing for more efficient management of wireless capacity in heavily trafficked areas. The additional capacity will help to improve call reliability, increase download speeds and enable more consistent network access to help customers make the most of their AT&T devices.
“LeConte Medical Center is a picture of technology at work in healthcare and the enhanced voice and data coverage capability by AT&T makes it even better,” said State Rep. Richard Montgomery.
LeConte Medical Center opened earlier this year and offers comprehensive inpatient and outpatient services, including a spacious emergency department that provides care 24-hours a day, seven days a week. The surgery department features four surgical suites and two endoscopy suites. The Dolly Parton Birthing Unit offers family-centered maternity care in comfortable rooms, complete with views of the Smoky Mountains. Read the rest of this entry »
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August 12th, 2010
(NASHVILLE, TN), August 6, 2010 — State Senator Doug Overbey (R-Maryville) has been recognized as one of the eight best pro-business legislators in the Tennessee General Assembly by a key business magazine published by the Tennessee Chamber of Commerce. The publication congratulated Overbey for a “100 percent business-positive, pro-jobs voting record.”
“Senator Overbey understands the challenges Tennessee businesses face, and during the 106th General Assembly supported legislation the business community tracked deemed to be pro business,” said Bradley Jackson, of the Tennessee Chamber of Commerce & Industry. “We thank him for his support of the thousands of hardworking businessmen and women across this state.”
The announcement was made in the most recent publication of Business TN, which each year selects the best state lawmakers based on their efforts in keeping “taxes low and regulation minimal.” The publication also chose the honorees based on their legislative stances and their ability to have a positive effect on the state’s business climate. All eight lawmakers sited obtained a 100 percent pro-business voting record.
“Job creation and providing small and start-up companies with access to capital to grow and expand played an important role in my decision to sponsor legislation creating the TNInvestco program,” Overbey said. ”I am honored to be recognized as a friend of business. We must continue to foster a positive business climate to attract new and better paying jobs to our state. I look forward to continuing to partner with our business community as we work to provide more opportunities for Tennesseans in the future.”
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July 7th, 2010
6/29/10 Governor Bredesen holds a Ceremonial Bill Signing - SB 3528 (Annual Coverage Assessment Act)
(NASHVILLE, TN), July 7, 2010 – Governor Phil Bredesen recently signed legislation sponsored by State Senator Doug Overbey (R-Maryville) to prevent potentially catastrophic cuts to Tennessee hospitals as a result of budget cuts proposed earlier this year in the state’s 2010-2011 budget.
Hospitals asked the General Assembly to enact a coverage assessment in order to raise $230 million. Money raised will be used to draw down federal funds available through a temporary Medicaid match program officially approved by the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) on June 30.
“I am pleased the General Assembly passed this legislation and the governor has signed it into law,” said Senator Overbey. ”Without this legislation, many of our hospitals, particularly those in rural areas, would have faced severe consequences and possibly closure.”
“The hospital coverage assessment will restore $659 million in proposed cuts to the TennCare program by allowing hospitals to temporarily “step into the state’s shoes” to fund a significant portion of the program,” said Craig A. Becker, president, Tennessee Hospital Association (THA).
“We appreciate the strong leadership of Senator Doug Overbey and his sponsorship of the bill in the Senate,” Becker continued. “We also would like to thank House sponsor Joe Armstrong for his unwavering support and all the other legislators who signed on to the bill and voted for it.”
Language in the legislation, Senate Bill 3528, ensures that any assessment imposed by this legislation would not be passed along to patients. The assessment is based on 3.52 percent of a hospital’s net patient revenue according to its 2008 Medicare cost report. Local government hospitals, critical access hospitals, freestanding rehabilitation hospitals, long-term acute care hospitals and pediatric research hospitals are not included in the assessment, as well as state mental health institutes.
“As with all TennCare providers, the Tennessee Association of Mental Health Organizations’ (TAMHO) membership recognizes that the most important legislation passed this year was Senate Bill 3528,” said Charles Blackburn, Executive Director of TAMHO in a letter to Overbey.
Twenty-six other states have a similar assessment plan to provide funding for their Medicaid programs and twelve additional states are currently considering such a plan.
A few examples of the cuts that would be restored include those to critical access hospitals, the Graduate Medical Education program, a $10,000 cap on inpatient and the 8-visit limit imposed on outpatient services, therapies, and office visits. Money raised by the fee will provide funds for the medically needy program and payments to reimburse hospitals for a portion of their uncompensated TennCare.
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July 2nd, 2010
July 4, 2010
Dear Friends,
More than two hundred years ago, an assembly of brave and determined Americans met to announce to the world the birth of a new nation – a nation born of ideals rather than of coercion, where the power to govern rested with the consent of the people.
Adams, Franklin, and Jefferson — starting with just a few words etched on simple parchment, these bold colonists set in motion a radical experiment in democracy and free enterprise. In time, that experiment would be known to people all over the world by many different names — the Land of the Free, the Home of the Brave, the Arsenal of Democracy, the Shining City on a Hill, and the World’s Last Best Hope.
As modern Americans, who have enjoyed these blessings for so long, it is easy for us to forget just how groundbreaking this experiment really was. Not surprising, the Declaration of Independence signed by those visionaries caused panic in the capitals of Europe. It struck fear in the courts of monarchs and despots, most of who believed that government and tyranny were one in the same.
But the Declaration of Independence also inspired enlightened men everywhere — statesmen, scientists, philosophers, and theologians — to abandon old ways of power and privilege and embrace new ideals of freedom and justice. Slowly, they began to remake the world on principles that the Founders believed were self-evident.
And the world has never been the same.
Today, amid the spectacular fireworks and quiet backyard barbecues, we reflect on the precious endowment given to our nation — and to our world — by the Founders. And we pause to remember the tremendous effort and sacrifice rendered by millions of Americans – including those who still fight for freedom in Afghanistan and Iraq — who have preserved that endowment for generations yet to come.
The volunteer spirit is alive and well, and I’m proud of the many brave Tennesseans, who, like their ancestors before them, loved their country enough to defend it. They, like their forbearers, are literally changing our world. Our prayers continue to go out for their safe return.
May God protect and defend our troops. And, may God bless America.
Sincerely,
Doug Overbey
State Senator
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June 8th, 2010
NASHVILLE, Tenn. — Fifty-four legislators won donations for charities in their communities during the Tennessee Health Care Association’s (THCA) annual "Partnering for Charity" event, including Sen. Doug Overbey, who won $150 for A Secret Safe Place for Newborns of Tennessee.
The lawmakers tossed a football to earn contributions to charities of their choice throughout the state. Among those charities receiving donations this year were Boys & Girls Clubs, St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital and the American Cancer Society. Local senior centers, libraries, schools, churches and other organizations were also chosen for donations.
Each year, the charity giveaway is a highlight of THCA’s Legislative Conference, an event that brings long-term care professionals together with state lawmakers to discuss what it takes to provide quality services for the state’s elderly and disabled.
"Each year, our members enjoy partnering with their legislators to raise money for charities," THCA Executive Director Ron Taylor said. "In addition to providing 24-hour care to the elderly and disabled, this is one more way for nursing homes to give back to the communities they serve. The charities appreciate the donations, and we are honored that so many legislators join us for this special event."
The Tennessee Health Care Association is a nonprofit association representing long-term care facilities throughout the state. For more information about nursing homes, contact THCA at (615) 834-6520 or visit www.thca.org.
For more information, contact:
Jay Moore
Director of Communications
Tennessee Health Care Association
(615) 834-6520
jmoore@thca.org
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