Special Session Possible

There’s one last hope for Tennesseans who might benefit from a state-of-the-art cancer treatment.
Gov. Bill Haslam vetoed the Cancer Patient Choice Act late last week, but there’s talk of a possible special session to override his veto.
The legislation would mandate that the state employee insurance program cover proton therapy at the same rate it currently pays for traditional radiation.
In a statement, Haslam specifically opposed the mandate language in the bill and said in a statement that the “state plan currently covers many forms of radiation treatment.”
Several private insurers cover at least part of the cost of proton therapy, as does Medicaid and Medicare.
State Rep. Bob Ramsey of Blount County – one of the sponsors of the legislation – says the plan is to wait to see what other bills the governor may veto before calling a special session.