SPLC lawsuit unlocks the door to Medicaid in Tennessee

A federal judge granted relief to residents across Tennessee today by ordering the state to provide hearings to residents whose Medicaid applications have been unreasonably delayed.

U.S. District Court Judge Todd Campbell’s ruling granted a preliminary injunction sought by the SPLC, the Tennessee Justice Center and the National Health Law Project. Campbell also certified the litigation as a class action lawsuit, meaning that it applies to all people in Tennessee who have waited months for a determination on their applications for the program, TennCare. 

The court’s order takes immediate effect.

“This is a profound victory for all of Tennessee,” said Sara Zampierin, SPLC staff attorney. “The court’s ruling today will require TennCare to do their job and ensure that the people who have been stuck waiting for a decision for months will be able to finally receive the health care they deserve.” 

The court rejected the state’s attempt to blame the federal government for its own failings, ruling instead that the state is responsible for its administration of the TennCare program and noting that “if a state decides to participate in the Medicaid program, it is required to ensure that applications are adjudicated reasonably promptly.”

The court further rejected the state’s claim that it has no “backlogs,” noting that the existence of this lawsuit proved that many people are suffering.

The court ordered that a fair hearing be provided to all class members who have proof of application and request such a hearing. The hearings will be held within 45 days, unless the person’s eligibility is based on a disability, in which case the state will have 90 days to conduct the hearing. 

>>>WATCH: Earlier this summer, SPLC was on MSNBC to discuss the lawsuit.