MEDIA ADVISORY: Cohen, Corker in Memphis Monday to Highlight “MED Fix” Being Signed into Law

Cohen and Corker will be joined at the press conference by Shelby County Mayor A C Wharton and Med CEO Claude Watts.

WHO:
U.S. Senator Bob Corker
U.S. Representative Steve Cohen
Shelby County Mayor A C Wharton
Med CEO Claude Watts

WHAT:
Press Conference Highlighting Med Fix Becoming Law

WHEN:
Monday, February 9
10:45 a.m. CT

WHERE:
Regional Medical Center at Memphis (The Med)
Adams Building, Med boardroom
842 Jefferson Avenue
Memphis

CONTACTS:
Corker: Laura Lefler, 202-224-3467
Cohen: Charlie Gerber, 202-225-3265
The Med: Sandy Snell, 901-545-7117

The Med serves as the primary emergency hospital for a 150-mile wide, tri-state area that includes Memphis as well as parts of northern Mississippi and southeastern Arkansas. According to the Med, uninsured patients account for approximately 30 percent of its caseload and $80 million annually in uncompensated care costs that the facility cannot absorb on its own. This issue has put a huge financial strain not only on the Med and Shelby County, but also on the entire safety net infrastructure throughout Tennessee. The Med fix was included in the Children’s Health Insurance Program Improvements Act (H.R. 2) signed into law February 4, 2009 by President Obama.

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