United Neighborhood health Services

Hi District 29 Neighbor, Join me in congratulationing United Neighborhood Health Services! You serve Nashville well! Gratefully, Vivian

For Release: February 18, 2010

Contact: Mary Bufwack 615-294-2923 (cell) Email: maryunhs@aol.com CEO, United Neighborhood Health Services

One Year Later: United Neighborhood Health Services Cares for 3,000 More Uninsured & Underserved People Thanks to Economic Stimulus Funds

Nashville, TN -- Thanks to funding received as a result of the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009 (ARRA) enacted one year ago, United Neighborhood Health Services (UNHS) was able to serve 3,000 more uninsured and underserved patients in its clinics located in neighborhoods throughout the city. The “economic stimulus” funds allowed UNHS to recruit additional staff and to offer primary health services through three new clinic sites in low-income neighborhoods, expand existing facilities, and improve care and access through an updated electronic medical records (EMR) system and new central call center. “The economic stimulus investment has made a substantial difference at our health centers and in our community,” said Mary Bufwack, CEO of UNHS. “The economic stimulus funding was the right medicine at the right time and one year later the investment is still delivering results.” Bufwack noted that people who are losing jobs are finding themselves without health care and UNHS is providing primary care to this new group of uninsured people. UNHS grew from 24,000 clients in 2008 to about 27,000 clients in 2009. And with funds for serving the homeless UNHS received, it added another 4,000 patients to those served, growing to over 31,000 patients served in 2009. UNHS is one of the first organizations in Tennessee to receive funds as a result of enactment ARRA, signed into law on February 17, 2009. In March 2009, UNHS received $973,593 from ARRA to support a two-year project to expand primary health services through three new clinic sites in Nashville. One of the clinics is located to serve residents of public housing in the Edgehill Homes. A second clinic is located on Dickerson Road and will serve the 37207 community, an area seriously lacking in primary health care. This clinic will open in March. A second round of funding brought $451,913 to UNHS to expand services. Approximately 15 new jobs were created as a result of funds for expanded services and the new clinics. Then in July 2009, UNHS received an additional $1,053,180 in economic stimulus funding. These funds will be used to renovate its Downtown Clinic that serves the homeless and expand its Main Street Clinic to include a women’s clinic and a teen clinic. These renovations will begin in March.

Funds also support updating UNHS’ electronic medical records (EMR) network. The updated network will help make electronic health records available at all sites, including the mobile medical clinics. Patients will be able to go to any UNHS site for care and the provider there will have access to their electronic records. Funds will also be used to establish a central call center for UNHS so that one number 620-UNHS (620-8647) can be called to make an appointment at any UNHS clinic. United Neighborhood Health Services Cares for 3,000 More People Thanks to Economic Stimulus Funds

Bufwack said, “The economic stimulus funds were very important. However, it is important to remember that this was one time funding. Our state and city continue to face enormous challenges that include proposed budget cuts by TennCare and by Metro.” Nationally uninsured patient visits are up by 21 percent and are likely to continue increasing as the economic recession lingers, according to the National Association of Community Health Centers (NACHC). To learn more abut how the economic stimulus funding is still making a difference in communities, visit the NACHC economic stimulus map at www.nachc.com United Neighborhood Health Services, Inc. (UNHS) is a private non-profit network of neighborhood health centers that have served Nashville for more than 30 years. Through its eight Nashville neighborhood clinics, four school-based clinics, the Downtown Homeless Clinic, the Charlotte Avenue Youth Clinic, two mobile health units, and a clinic in Hartsville, Tennessee, United Neighborhood Health Services annually serves approximately 31,000 medically underserved people of all ages; 16,000 have no health insurance. Visit http://www.unitedneighborhood.org/ for information about United Neighborhood Health Services’ other clinics and programs. For Additional Information: Deborah Varallo 615-367-5200, ext. 14 or 615-482-6444 (cell number) Email: varallo@varallopr.com Varallo Public Relations

Listing of Prom Dates!

Health-care reform limbo sets stage for wave of hospital mergers

Analysts expect health-reform stall to strain nonprofits By Getahn Ward • THE TENNESSEAN • February 19, 2010 Health-care reform was a pill that many hospital operators were willing to swallow, especially given the promise of insurance coverage for more people that would offset expected cuts in reimbursements. Now, with comprehensive reform in limbo and expectations of piecemeal legislation that would bring more gradual changes, analysts see continued growth in patients who can't afford to pay even as cuts to programs such as Medicare remain possible. "Our fear is we're going to see the cuts without the coverage," said Craig Becker, chief executive of the Tennessee Hospital Association, a trade group. Analysts expect a new wave of mergers and acquisitions in the wake of the collapse of comprehensive health reform, as nonprofit hospitals faced with financial pressures seek alliances with larger hospital chains that are better capitalized. "Providers will continue to be pressed to operate their institutions at lower costs and more efficiently utilizing the best available health-care information technology," said Leigh Walton, an attorney and co-head of the health-care group at Bass Berry & Sims law firm here. "Some of the smaller systems will not have access to the capital to, for example, implement strong health-care IT and... may suffer from basically the inability to run as efficiently as a large system." In recent conference calls with analysts, officials of several Nashville area hospital chains have cited encouraging prospects for mergers and acquisitions. On Thursday, executives of Community Health Systems said a fair amount of activity should continue in the next 18 months as lower investment returns hinder abilities of hospitals, especially not-for-profit players, to fund capital projects. "It's not that their operating results haven't been decent, but they are all continuing to miss those nice investment returns they enjoyed for several years," said Charlie Martin, chief executive of Vanguard Health Systems, during that company's conference call last week. "So their balance sheets are not necessarily in good shape." More competition for acquisitions, however, could drive up prices that had fallen sharply, said Wayne T. Smith, CEO of Franklin-based Community Health, citing its plans for at least two acquisitions this year. "The difference between today and a year ago is buyers have interest in acquisitions and have access to capital," said CRT Capital analyst Sheryl Skolnick. "A year ago, they might have been interested, but the credit markets has just began to open up again." While some CEOs have avoided direct answers to questions on reform, Iasis Healthcare's David White bluntly called the effort a "disjointed, herky-jerky process" and more health-care "deform" than reform. "My suspicion and guess is that they're going to go ahead and implement their cuts that supposedly the health-care industry agreed to, at some point in time in the future," Martin said, referring to $155 billion in cuts the hospital sector pledged as part of reform. Although a comprehensive expansion of coverage in exchange for the cuts isn't likely, considering that the reform push has stalled, experts see incremental reforms in areas such as allowing for sale of policies across state lines and restricting denial of coverage by insurers because of pre-existing conditions. Those along with other potential measures, such as coverage for more children, could help hospitals, but not like expanding coverage to a majority of the 46 million people nationwide without insurance. Rate cuts expected With government's share of the nation's health-care bill is expected to rise to more than half of all spending by 2012, cuts in Medicare rates are inevitable, experts said. If next month's release of the Medicare Trustees Report shows acceleration of the time by which a key fund would run out of money, there could be pressure on Congress to make sharp cuts, said John M. Cousins, an analyst with CIT Group based in Tallahassee, Fla. "We all know that the deficit cannot continue to grow at the way it is, so payment cuts are going to come," said Reggie Hill, a health law attorney and partner in the Waller Lansden Dortch & Davis law firm in Nashville. "It's just the question of when." Hill will be watching to see the outcome of the health-care summit that President Obama plans next week. Many experts said chances are slim for compromise between Republicans and Democrats on differences that have stalled the reform. "It could turn out to be a bust," Hill said about the summit. "On the other hand, it could be some indication there'll be agreement to move forward on some sort of piecemeal reform."

Nashville crime drops with help of citizens' watchful eyes

Chief says citizens' involvement makes Nashville a safer place By Clay Carey • THE TENNESSEAN • February 19, 2010 Nashville, you are being watched — and it's a good thing. The city's crime rate is down and Metro police Chief Ronal Serpas credits neighborhood watch groups for helping make Davidson County neighborhoods safer. During the past five years, neighborhood watch organizations have nearly doubled. There are currently 475 active neighborhood watch groups in Metro. New crime statistics released by the Metro police department show a nearly 11 percent decline in major crimes from 2008 to 2009. It was the sixth consecutive year that the rate dropped. Carrie Fussell, president of Tomorrow's Hope Neighborhood Watch, said officers regularly attend the association's meetings. "That's where we sit down with people and make our priorities," Serpas said. Residents in the community, which stretches from 44th Avenue to 42nd Avenue near Tennessee State University, formed the neighborhood watch to combat drug sales. "That's the biggest problem we had," Fussell said. "Used to be, you couldn't get by on the corner (of 43rd and Albion) for all the people standing on the street. "During the summer, we still see a lot of drug dealing, but not at all like it used to be," she said. "Working with the police department, a lot of that was stopped." The overall crime rate in 2009 — about seven crimes reported for every 100 Nashville residents — was Nashville's lowest since 1978. The per-capita property crime rate was at its lowest since 1972. Rape last year declined 8.5 percent to its lowest level since 1979. Motor vehicle thefts fell by 26.4 percent to the lowest level since 1963. Homicide and burglary rates in Nashville were up last year by 8.1 and 7.1 percent, respectively. Police said the number of murders — 80 — was still lower than it was in 2006, and that there were fewer burglaries in 2009 than there were in 1970. Before 2009, burglary rates had gone down for five consecutive years, Serpas said. "We have a whole lot more people living here, so there are a lot more opportunities," the chief said. Serpas did not think the recession had anything to do with burglary figures. "Probably, if there is any recession-related crime, it might be inter-personal stuff" like fights caused by financial stress, he said. But other cities blamed the failing economy for some of their property crime increases. In Murfreesboro, 2009 saw robbery increase by 10 percent. Burglaries were up by 24 percent. "It's hard to put an exact number on how the economy affects the crime rate, but we do see changes with that," said police spokesman Kyle Evans. Mark Cohen, a professor of economics, ethics and social responsibility at Vanderbilt University, said it is difficult to draw a clear line between the two; other changes in the community can come into play. Some don't feel safe Though every Nashville police precinct showed a decline in the crime rate, North Nashville resident Thomas Williams feels his neighborhood is more dangerous than ever. "I've seen kids walking around with guns in their hands," said Williams, 64. "I guess (the police) are doing the best they can." Serpas said he recognizes there are places where police have not had success. "We still have a lot of challenges," the chief said. Pete Horton, a block commander with the Woodland-In-Waverly neighborhood watch, says a heavy police presence and neighbors willing to call police will help. "If you see something suspicious and call, they will send two patrol cars," Horton said. He says loiterers don't linger in his neighborhood. "They know that somebody's watching," he said.

TN Board of Regents schools have 524 accept buyouts

Schools are cutting costs By Jennifer Brooks • THE TENNESSEAN • February 17, 2010 Familiar faces are vanishing from universities across Tennessee as longtime professors, administrators and office staff voluntarily leave their posts in the face of looming budget cuts. In all, 524 people have left or will soon be leaving at schools in the Tennessee Board of Regents system in a wave of voluntary buyouts the schools hope will save them millions of dollars in the coming year. For the people involved, it's the end of a career. For the schools, it's the loss of decades of experience and institutional memory. And for the students, it will likely mean larger classes and fewer choices in years to come. "Certainly, I'm going to miss MTSU, but I'm also looking forward to retirement," said advertising professor Edward Applegate, one of 38 professors who accepted the buyout offer and will leave at the end of this semester. Applegate is planning books to write in his free time. "I believe there is life after doing something for 37 years." He will be joined by an exodus of longtime university fixtures, including library dean Don Craig; Randy O'Brien, broadcaster and news director at WMOT, the campus jazz radio station; Tech Wubneh, director of MTSU's international studies program; and octogenarian education professor Bob Womack. The university had hoped to see 45 faculty, 36 administrators and 34 clerical staff take buyouts — a move that would have cut an estimated $18.2 million from the budget. Instead, the bulk came from lower-paid clerical staffers. The university has not yet decided whether it will need to resort to layoffs. Middle Tennessee State University was facing a $19.3 million budget cut from the state when it began drawing up its buyout plan last year. The governor's new budget has them bracing for an additional $5.9 million cut. "The buyouts are just one piece," MTSU Senior Vice President John W. Cothern said. "It's part of a process. And it's a big process." 9 TSU faculty to leave At Tennessee State University, only nine professors accepted the buyout from a target goal of 33. In all, TSU accepted 47 voluntary buyouts of its goal of 100. The staffers left in August, including the university's director of nursing education and director of admissions. Bradley White, assistant vice president for business and finance, said TSU has not yet discussed the possibility of layoffs and is still debating other cutbacks — including eliminating so-called "low-producing" areas of study that fail to attract much student interest. "Hopefully, we will have done enough before the stimulus money runs out" that layoffs won't be necessary, he said. The universities have a year's breathing room, thanks to the federal stimulus that will flow to Tennessee higher education for one more year, and then the state budget cuts will be reinstated. Between now and then, MTSU and other universities in the system face a lot of painful choices — whether to cut more faculty, whether to increase class size, whether to eliminate less popular classes and majors — or all of the above. "The cumulative effect of all this reduction in staffing is probably going to result in larger class sections," said Dale Sims, vice chancellor for business and finance at the Tennessee Board of Regents, who is monitoring the ongoing cuts at MTSU, Tennessee State University and the other schools in the regents system. The governor's latest budget calls for a 6 percent cut in overall higher education spending — possibly as high as 9 percent. APSU relies on growth Not every school is trying to offset the cuts with staff reductions. Fast-growing Austin Peay State University, Sims said, is relying on its increasing student population — and the tuition revenue that comes with all of those extra students — to make job cuts unnecessary. The school also is spending its stimulus grants on energy-efficiency projects around campus designed to reduce maintenance expenses in the future. But, Sims said, "At the end of the day, 75 percent of what (universities) spend money on is people…You can't really get away from that."

Davidson sheriff to use new technology to track registered sex offenders

Tennesssean February 16, 2010 DAVIDSON COUNTY Davidson County Sheriff Daron Hall will unveil new technology today that he says will improve the tracking of registered sex offenders. The sheriff's office received a grant for an iris scan machine worth about $10,000 that will be used to check in the sex offenders who come to register at the booking department. The technology can positively identify a person through an eye scan and can even differentiate between twins, the sheriff's office says. The information gathered through the iris scans will be entered into a national database that will help determine if a sex offender is wanted in another jurisdiction. "It is the sheriff's office's responsibility to gather information on sex offenders when they come to register in this county," Hall said in a news release. "Including them in an iris scan database is a great step because you can never be mistaken for someone else and you can share the data electronically with other law enforcement agencies." If the data are useful, Hall said, the department may buy more equipment to better track inmates and ensure the right ones are released from custody. — KATE HOWARD

Metro Nashville Council looks to silence Twitter at meetings

By Michael Cass • THE TENNESSEAN • February 17, 2010 A social networking service that's often credited for creating greater openness may not always be open enough to meet Tennessee's standards for local governments, Metro Council's attorney said Tuesday. Jon Cooper said council members should refrain from using Twitter during meetings to discuss bills under debate or other members' comments. Doing so could violate the state Open Meetings Act, which prohibits deliberations by public officials out of public view and often is interpreted broadly by courts, Cooper said. "If you tweet during a council meeting about what's going on, that could be problematic," he said, using the newly created verb for posting a comment or information on the service, which limits each post to 140 characters. Cooper said he sees no problem, however, with council members giving "play-by-play" of votes after they're over. Only a few council members use Twitter during meetings, but two of them said the decision was misguided. After Erik Cole mentioned the issue on his "district7" Twitter feed Tuesday and announced, "no more tues night tweets," fellow councilman Jamie Hollin replied, "Don't quit now @district7. I think that's a bit overbroad." Cole later wrote back, "Agreed. Overbroad ... or overboard?" Decision draws criticism In a telephone interview, Hollin said he disagreed with the decision and had told Cooper so. "Using Twitter as a tool to communicate principally with your constituents, I don't think that's a violation of the Open Meetings Act," said Hollin, an attorney. "I don't think you can blame a member, with the tools at their disposal, for getting all the information out there that they can." Freddie O'Connell, an Internet entrepreneur and Metro Transit Authority member who often uses Twitter to keep tabs on council meetings, said the decision seemed odd. He noted that council members routinely talk privately to each other and even to citizens during the course of meetings. "It's curious that something that distributes information about what's happening could be construed as a violation of openness," he said. "What's the difference between that and somebody coming off the floor and talking to a citizen?" Guidance for state legislators has been less direct. Connie Ridley, director of the Office of Legislative Administration, said lawmakers are aware of the Open Meetings Act, and "we assume they are acting accordingly." The state attorney general's office hasn't issued any opinions on Twitter use by elected officials, spokeswoman Sharon Curtis-Flair said. Florida's attorney general, Bill McCollum, wrote an opinion last year that said members of city boards and commissions shouldn't discuss issues that could come before them for action on city Facebook pages. McCollum's office told the Naples Daily News that the same tests for determining what is a public record would apply to Twitter or any other medium. Follow Michael Cass' abundant tweeting from Metro Council meetings and elsewhere at www.twitter.com/tnmetro. Or contact him at 615-259-8838.

Fair Board Meeting Tuesday the 16th reschedule due to weather

We are all concerned about what could happen to the Fair Grounds. The thought of not using the Fairgrounds for flea market events, races and the state fair just to name a few has disheartened many. Oh the other hand, expand the existing use seems to be the agenda of others. If you have not been apart of this tug of war, here is an opportunity to stay involved. A rescheduled February Board Meeting of the Fair Commissioners will meet at 8:00 a.m. Tuesday February 16th in the Administration Office Board Room (Note this is a change from Wilson Hall). They will follow the Metro Schools weather policy and if Metro schools are out on the 16th, the rescheduled Board Meeting will be Wednesday February 24th, at 8:00 a.m. back in the Wilson Hall. Since we now know that Metro schools is closed on Tuesday, February 16, 2010 due to inclement weather, please attend the rescheduled meeting on Wednesday, February 24, 2010 at 8 am back in the Wilson Hall. If you have questions contact Kristi Harris Assistant to the Director - Buck Dozier Tennessee State Fair office (615) 862-8980 cell (615) 337-1874 www.tennesseestatefair.org

Convention Center Authority 2010 Committee Meetings

Hi District 29 Neighbors: Below is the 2010 Convention Center Committees, scheduled dates and times. Meetings will be held at the Nashville Convention Center. Room numbers will be announced at a later date. If you are able, attend these meetings to know what is being proposed. Gratefully, Vivian

Meetings will be at the Nashville Convention Center. Room numbers TBD. Finance & Audit: 8:00am

Construction & Development: 8:00am

DBE & Procurement: 9:00am

Marketing & Operations: 9:00am Finance & Audit Mark Arnold Darrell Drumwright Ken Levitan Willie McDonald Diversity Business Enterprise & Procurement Darrell Drumwright Vonda McDaniel Willie McDonald Leo Waters Marketing & Operations Mark Arnold Ken Levitan Luke Simons Mona Lisa Warren Construction & Development Vonda McDaniel Luke Simons Mona Lisa Warren Leo Waters Chair is a member of all committees

Diane Neighbors is Ex-Officio of all committees 2010 Committee Meeting Dates: Monday, February 22 Thursday, March 25 Thursday, April 29 Thursday, May 27 Thursday, June 24 Thursday, July 29 Thursday, August 26 Thursday, September 30 Thursday, October 28 Thursday, November 25 (Thanksgiving Day – Rescheduled date TBD) Thursday, December 30

DC4 drug treatment program may run out of funds

DC4, or Davidson County Drug Court Developing Character During Confinement, is a sentencing alternative for drug addicts By Nicole Young • THE TENNESSEAN • February 15, 2010 A highly successful drug treatment program in Davidson County is in danger of having to close its doors because of a lack of funding. DC4, short for Davidson County Drug Court Developing Character During Confinement, is a sentencing alternative for drug addicts, helping them to overcome their addictions instead of putting them behind bars. It opened 13 years ago, expanding to include a pilot program for methamphetamine users and, later, treatment for mentally ill addicts. More than $600,000 in federal stimulus funds helped the program meet its $1.7 million annual budget last year. But those funds will soon be gone, said program founder Davidson County Criminal Court Judge Seth Norman. "We usually get about $500,000 from the state," he said. "I feel certain that we can get some kind of funding from the state this year, but I'm not certain if it will be that much. With the shortage of funds, there is always the threat of us shutting down." In an effort to stay afloat, Norman is planning a trip to Washington, D.C., next week to drum up support in Congress. If DC4 closed, all of the inmates housed at the 108-bed facility on County Hospital Road would be sent to prison, where there's no drug treatment. Eighty-five inmates call DC4 home, and treatment works. Only 35 percent of inmates fail to complete the program and are sent back to prison. Last year, 58 inmates graduated, and more try to get into the program every day, said Jeri Thomas, director of the facility's nonprofit funding agency. Currently, there is a waiting list of 15. "It's frustrating because I know we have room for everyone," Norman said. "Right now, there are two meth addicts in Bradley County who want to come here, but I can't do that when there's a possibility that we could run out of money in June.

Never too late in life to alter health habits

USA Today By Emily Bregel, Chattanooga Times Free Press CHATTANOOGA, Tenn. — Three years ago, at age 92, Marjorie Townley of Chattanooga felt resigned, seeing little chance for improvement in her quality of life. At 220 pounds and falling regularly, she was edging closer to needing nursing home care. Her discomfort led her to avoid socializing and remain holed up in her apartment at Creekside at Shallowford retirement home. But the result of a few simple dietary changes recommended by her nutritionist has been staggering to her family and her doctor. Nutritionist and physical therapy assistant James Igani, who manages Summit Physical Therapy's clinic based at Creekside, suggested tweaks such as eating sliced apples and bananas for breakfast instead of cereal, forgoing most desserts and cutting back on salt. Sticking to the changes, Ms. Townley dropped 70 pounds gradually over the past few years, which has lessened the burden on her body and allowed her regular doctor to recommend she stop taking most of her 11 medications, Igani said. Ms. Townley said she hasn't fallen in a long time and she now socializes and goes out with family more than she has in years. "My family are tickled to death. They tell me if it hadn't been for James coming along I'd probably be in a wheelchair now with somebody pushing me," she said. Even late in life, small changes in nutrition and activity level can make a huge difference in quality of life, Igani said. Replacing processed, cooked items with raw and unprocessed foods such as fruits and vegetables can improve nutrition and significantly reduce water weight and fat stores, he said. "If you offer proper nutrition to your body, your weight goes to where it's supposed to. Your body seeks balance," he said. At Alexian Brothers Community Services' adult day care program, some senior diabetic patients even have lost enough weight through healthy diet changes to go off their diabetes medications, said Peggy Noblett, registered dietitian with the program. Minimal activity also can burn excess calories and improve strength and balance, boosting one's attitude and motivation to be social, experts say. Chattanooga geriatrician Dr. Lorna Birch emphasized that older folks should consult with a doctor before beginning any exercise program, and start slowly. Low-intensity activities such as walking, swimming or even just moving from room to room at home can make a difference, she said. "Adding any physical activity will help. People always think it has to be fancy but it doesn't," she said. Exercise can be "doing more things around the house, walking up the steps instead of taking the elevator." Elderly people often lack protein in their diet because they often don't like to cook, especially if they live alone, Ms. Noblett said. Adding other sources of protein such as soybeans, eggs and peanut butter can help balance a diet, she said. Particularly for those in their golden years, a healthy diet shouldn't be about self-denial, but rather should focus on balance, Ms. Noblett said. "You need to have some pleasure in life and eating is one of the big pleasures," she said. "We try to just average things out where you can have your cakes and pies, and yet not have them every day." Copyright 2010 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.

Fewer in U.S. are satisfied with jobs

Even in a down economy, many long for meaning By Patricia Montemurri • DETROIT FREE PRESS • February 15, 2010 Odds are you're unhappy at your job. And we've got the numbers to prove it. Only 45.3 percent of Americans are "satisfied" with their work, according to a survey for the Conference Board Consumer Research Center released last month. When asked the same question in 1987, more than 61 percent of Americans said they were content with work. It might seem crass to be whining about job satisfaction when so many people have been laid off, bought out and displaced. But the study authors said that once the economy rebounds, disaffected workers could be a drag on a company's performance. The survey numbers showed a steady drop in job satisfaction even when the economy was booming and despite increases in income. Behind the decline, researchers said, is the perception that work is less interesting, engaging and meaningful. "Employees largely judge the overall quality of their jobs in terms of the degree to which they are challenged or stimulated," the report said. Sheila Johnson, 47, of Detroit, knows what makes her happy as a human resources technology services expert for the city. And she knows what makes her feel dissatisfied. "I love the challenges," Johnson said. "I love the problem-solving." In her current capacity, Johnson is working to improve efficiency. At previous jobs Johnson felt dissatisfied when she felt as if she was not fully trusted, or when she was prevented from performing at full tilt. "I'm self-motivated. I'll fix the world for you, but if you micromanage me, it's a problem," Johnson said. Most like co-workers How we are treated at work matters, experts say. And the survey cites co-workers as one of the top things many people actually like about their jobs. Our appreciation for our co-workers was the second-most-liked aspect of our jobs, with 56 percent of employees rating interaction with work buddies as satisfactory. Still, we don't like them as much as we used to. In 1987, satisfaction with co-workers was cited as satisfactory by 68 percent. But likable cubicle mates don't solve everything. Since 1987, the percentage of people who said they were interested in their work has dropped from 70 percent to 51 percent. "You're not going to get the maximum effort from an employee who's not interested in the job, and that could impact the bottom line," said Lynn Franco of the Conference Board. For many workers, it's the lack of potential growth that leads to dissatisfaction. Even if you've avoided layoffs and buyouts, it may seem there's less room for advancement because there is less voluntary turnover. The Wall Street Journal reported last month that from January to November 2009, 19.6 million people quit their jobs, the lowest amount since 2000. The Conference Board survey suggests employees are antsy — 22 percent said they didn't expect to be in their current job next year. "There is a desire to move on, but because of the economy, decisions about job mobility are extremely limited," Franco said. "But once the economy improves, employees can talk with their feet."

TennCare faces deep budget cuts

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Nashville Mayor Dean turns eye to mass transit

Dean says effort will cost billions and take years By Nate Rau • THE TENNESSEAN • February 15, 2010 If the convention center was a colossal and contentious public project, wait until you see Mayor Karl Dean's next undertaking: a multi-year, multibillion-dollar effort to renovate Middle Tennessee's mass transportation system. The payback to residents of the greater Nashville area, Dean says, will be a mass transit system to rival that of Denver, Charlotte and Austin. In recent weeks, Dean has regularly pointed to Denver as an example for how to overhaul regional transportation. In 2004, the Mile High City created a sales-tax-funded light rail system at a cost of $6.5 billion. That's a number 11 times bigger than the Music City Center's $585 million price tag. "The money is scary," Dean said. "But when you think of the region — and the Denver project is a big region like Middle Tennessee — as connecting Gallatin, Hendersonville, Clarksville, Murfreesboro, Franklin, Wilson County ... it's going to be an extremely expensive thing and it's going to take years to accomplish." Dean cautioned against delaying a massive transportation overhaul any longer. "I think transportation is so important, long-term, for the quality of life and economic viability of this region, that we have to do it," Dean said. Improving mass transit in the Nashville area has been a topic of conversation for many years, but there is evidence that the issue is moving past idle chatter. Last year Dean formed the regional mayors' caucus, which has met three times and will be meeting regularly on the issue of exploring a growing menu of mass transportation options. Following the lead of Denver, Dean also formed the Transit Alliance, which is a collection of business interests throughout the region that are supportive of the issue. Vanderbilt signs on The Transit Alliance's job will be to educate and engage the public on the issue, similar to what the Music City Center Coalition did for the convention center. Led by attorney Charles Bone, the alliance recently began the work of soliciting financial support from the business community. Already Bone has signed Vanderbilt University as lead donor; the university has promised to contribute $100,000 per year for the next three years to the Transit Alliance. Dean called private sector support "more important" than support from elected officials. "Mass transit is already an important part of the daily commute of many of Vanderbilt's 23,000 employees," Vanderbilt Chancellor Nicholas Zeppos said. "This is an investment by Vanderbilt into the Nashville community and the convenience and comfort of everyone who teaches, researches, heals, studies and works at our campus every day." Last year, the General Assembly passed legislation that allows city councils to create sources of funding to pay for mass-transit initiatives. The legislation also allows for a public referendum to approve any new funding source. Public process to begin Although public officials have been careful not to speculate on what the funding source could be, Nashville Councilwoman Emily Evans said a thorough public awareness effort would be needed to advance the cause. Evans, a sharp critic of the Dean administration's convention center proposal, pointed out that it took more than two years of public outreach to get Davidson County residents on board to accept a new stormwater fee. Passed by the Metro Council last year, the fee allowed Metro to begin addressing a backlog of serious stormwater issues across the county. "I wholly encourage the effort — zero problem with dedicated funding for mass transit," Evans said. "But what's important when you take something from a chatter level and implement a radical new policy initiative ... the best chance for success is if you spend time building a consensus." The public's part in the process will begin soon, as the Nashville Area Metro Planning Organization, which serves as the transportation planning body for the Midstate, prepares to update a 30-year master plan that will be unveiled in October, said MPO Executive Director Michael Skipper. "I don't know if anybody could say that the general public has favored any one particular type of transit option," Skipper said. "That's what we're trying to get to." Light rail holds key Talk of the area's mass transportation system has centered around light rail connecting Nashville with outlying urban areas such as Gallatin, Hendersonville and Murfreesboro, in addition to Bus Rapid Transit lanes along Nashville's busiest thoroughfares. The region has tried its hand at commuter rail already. The Music City Star line between Wilson County and Nashville, installed in 2006, has had limited ridership. Nashville's Metro Transit Authority took over management of the line last year amid major financial concerns. Although federal funding will pick up some of the cost, Dean pointed out that Nashville has missed out on some federal dollars because of a lack of a funding source dedicated to such projects. Another stumbling block appears to be soliciting support for dedicated funding from a 10-county region with drastically different transportation needs. The public transportation needs of Gallatin vary from those of Brentwood, and so does the appetite for a new funding source. Still, Brentwood Mayor Betsy Crossley said members of the mayors' caucus have been extremely supportive of the initiative. "You can only put so much asphalt down," Crossley said. "I think as I-65 gets busier and busier and busier, we have to find an alternative way to transport people." Although Skipper said the MPO public process would begin in the coming weeks, no official public meetings have been announced.

CoverKids insurance program reopens to new enrollees

Health program will get funds from state savings account By Janell Ross • THE TENNESSEAN • February 12, 2010 Tennessee's uninsured children will have a chance to enroll in a government-funded health-care program beginning March 1, about four months after it was closed to new participants because of the state budget crunch. In November, cash-strapped Tennessee became the only state in the nation to close its version of the children's health insurance program to new enrollees. State officials said at the time closing CoverKids was a tough choice but necessary because of a projected $1.5 billion state budget shortfall. Now CoverKids will draw between $1.5 million and $2 million from a state savings account for public health insurance programs, said Joe Burchfield, a spokesman for Cover Tennessee, the umbrella organization that oversees CoverKids. That's enough to enroll the estimated 5,000 children who are uninsured and qualify for CoverKids, he said. Gov. Phil Bredesen made the announcement late Thursday. It was good news inside Tennessee's health-care advocate community but earned Bredesen limited praise. "We have a ways to go to catch the rest of the nation, but this is a good first step," said Michele Johnson, the Tennessee Justice Center's managing attorney. The center has sued the state several times over decisions to remove different groups of adults and children from public health insurance programs. "It sends a message to the hard-working, middle-class families who rely on this program that they matter, and when they are facing this tough economy, the state will not abandon them entirely," Johnson said. Closing CoverKids last year was just part of a long line of choices the governor has made that don't serve Tennessee residents well, said Tony Garr, executive director of the Tennessee Health Care Campaign. CoverKids is designed to insure children of the working poor. It also allows parents who earn a bit more money but work for companies that don't provide insurance to share the cost of insuring their kids with the government. State defends program Burchfield and other state officials insisted Thursday that the program is an option, not a safety net for all of these families. Most uninsured children qualify for TennCare, a separate public health insurance program that covers the state's poorest and sickest residents, Burchfield said. "Any sort of characterization of it as a program of last resort or a safety net program is just incorrect," said Michael Drescher, a spokesman for the governor. "… None of us wanted to have to close the program off, but it was designed to be turned on and off." We have made it a priority to reopen it four months before it would otherwise have been funded. ... We did that in recognition of the fact that kids are often victims of a circumstance they didn't create." Children who qualify for the program immediately will be covered beginning April 1. The state's new budget year begins in July. Bredesen has called for about $43 million in state funding for CoverKids next budget year. If it is approved, the program will gain about $41.5 million in federal matching funds. Marshall County parent Kim Young was happy to hear that CoverKids will begin accepting more children now. "I've had a chance to see just how valuable, how important CoverKids can be," she said. In December, Young got a letter that said her disabled 14-year-old son was one of thousands of chronically ill Tennesseans being removed from TennCare coverage. By January, Young found herself shuttling between phone lines at CoverKids, TennCare and the Tennessee Department of Human Services. Some state workers told her that her son was eligible for CoverKids. Others told her the program was closed to new enrollees. Ultimately, she learned her son was still covered under TennCare. Without it, the family would have had to leave their son uninsured until 2011 or find a way to pay $560 a month for an individual private health insurance policy. "The insurance I am talking about, at $560 a month it would have only covered 80 percent, plus then there would have been the co-pays … so we are talking about a lot of money," Young said. "It would have been devastating for us, devastating." "When you cut a public program, there is nowhere else to fall," Garr said. "The governor has no concept of the important role that public programs play. He's shown this time and time again in the cuts in TennCare and the decision to close CoverKids."