Budget crunch could reduce TennCare rolls

TennCare officials say relief from a 20-year-old lawsuit is critical for eligible enrollees to maintain their medical benefits at a time when Tennessee Gov. Phil Bredesen is looking to make deep budget cuts. Bredesen, who earlier this year requested 3% cuts, is asking each department for reductions of as much as 15% to take care of a shortfall of potentially $800 million this year. TennCare director Darin Gordon says the state has asked the courts for relief from a class action lawsuit that prohibits them from annually re-evaluating about 180,000 people on TennCare who may not be eligible for coverage.