By Associated Press
Nashville, TN – Tennessee Health Department Commissioner John Dreyzehner says about $242 million federal dollars the health department depends on could be in jeopardy if a special deficit committee in Washington proposes drastic cuts. In anticipation of the loss, Governor Bill Haslam has asked each state department to propose how they would spend 5 percent less than planned next year. The Health Department is proposing to spend $40 million dollars less next year, which would do away with a number of primary health care centers for low-income Tennessee residents. Other state departments have proposed similar cuts, including the Higher Education Commission which would need to make significant tuition increases. Governor Haslam says he hopes the proposed cuts aren't necessary.