"Hey Bredesen We Want Medicine," Greets Tennessee Governor at $1000 a Plate Fund Raiser

The Memphis Center for Independent Living and ADAPT of Tennessee joined together to protest Governor Bredesen's cuts to TennCare. As supporters showed up for a $1000 a plate fund raiser Thursday evening, they were greeted with hand outs requesting a special legislative session to save TennCare and signs that read, "Stop the Killing, Restore TennCare" and "Hey Bredesen we want our medicine!"

Several fund raisers agreed that TennCare needed to be saved but only a couple would agree to let Governor Bredesen know they sided with the protesters. "Nothing surprises me about Governor Bredesen." said Deborah Cunningham, Executive Director of MCIL, "He is very arrogant, it's his plan, he knows best and that's final. He appears to have already made up his mind and he's ready to move on. The Governor is not concerning himself with how his cuts to TennCare affect Tennesseans."

When the Governor arrived he did speak with the protesters saying that he disagreed that a special legislative session should be called to save TennCare. "Despite his arrogance and unwillingness to listen and accept ideas from the people we will continue protesting his cuts. We will also continue holding town hall meetings so our Legislators can hear directly from constituents that have lost their coverage and how these cuts have affected their live," said Deborah Cunningham.

-Randy Alexander