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HEALTH 
JUSTICE

We have a directory of resources with information about eligibility for various public programs, food assistance, and more. 

ENSURING EVERYONE HAS AFFORDABLE HEALTHCARE

TJC works to ensure all Tennesseans have access to affordable health care. All of our work is inspired by the courage and generosity of the families and children we are privileged to serve. We are driven by a shared vision of our nation in which every family has financial peace of mind and access to compassionate, effective health care when needed.

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We pursue that vision by assisting over a thousand individual clients each year, enabling us to identify systemic barriers to care that broadly affect many other families, as well. We advocate — in the courts, before government agencies, in the state legislature, and before Congress — for policy changes to address those barriers and to improve the effectiveness and affordability of health care in Tennessee. We provide extensive training and technical assistance to consumers, other advocates, health care providers, and legal professionals. TJC serves as a source of health and fiscal policy expertise to the news media, other community agencies and to public officials at all levels of government.

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TJC’s policy advocacy amplifies the voices of ordinary Tennesseans so that government officials understand how public policies impact families in our state. Our clients’ stories have an authenticity that enables them to overcome ideology and political obstacles and to move hearts and minds.

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If you have ever experienced health disparities or health inequities, please fill out this brief survey. TJC wants to share your experiences to educate people about these issues and get them to take action to fix the problems in our healthcare system.

OUR PRIORITIES 

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PROTECTING MEDICAID

We have worked hard with other organizations, and with thousands of fellow Tennesseans, for affordable health care and to defend America’s health care safety net from congressional assault, but threats still remain. TJC amplifies the voices of vulnerable families, and of their compassionate neighbors, to educate the public and policymakers about the importance of Medicaid. With decades of experience, we produce sophisticated fiscal and policy analyses of various health proposals, connect reporters to families with compelling health care stories, and give Tennesseans the tools to stand up for a just and compassionate America.

STOP THE BLOCK GRANT

Tennessee is the first state to ask the federal government to convert its current Medicaid program (called “TennCare”) into a “block grant.”  The block grant will hurt patients and be bad for our state by inviting discrimination against patients with costly medical conditions, doing away with federal checks and balances for the program, and creating incentives for officials to divest money from Tennessee’s healthcare system. Our state legislators have turned a blind eye to the serious threat it creates for our state by voting to approve the block grant waiver with little time for deliberation.

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CUTTING RED TAPE

TJC opposes unnecessary government and insurance company red tape. This includes proposals to strip Medicaid coverage from individuals who lose their jobs. Those proposals would impose burdensome bureaucratic burdens on Tennessee’s businesses and families and lessen people’s ability to work by taking away health care. We are especially worried because government agencies have a record of erroneously terminating coverage for hundreds of thousands of eligible Tennesseans. Adding another layer of red tape for those agencies to administer will put at risk the health coverage and care of thousands of working Tennessee families.

  • Vaccines for Children Program offers federally funded vaccines for children from birth until they are 18. There is an administration fee of $20 but sliding scales are available based on income.  

    • In order to be eligible, you must meet fall under one of these categories: TennCare recipient, uninsured, underinsured, and American Indian or Alaska Native. 

    • Contact your local health department or ask your provider if they participate in Vaccines for Children Program 

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  • Your household can receive up to 4 COVID-19 rapid tests. Follow the links or call the number below to get your COVID-19 rapid tests shipped for free: 

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Vaccine resources
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