By J. Holly McCall | Editor-in-Chief
Good morning, Lookout readers.
Gov. Bill Lee’s administration has found another way to deprive people of health care, in this case, critically-ill children.
Senior Reporter Anita Wadhwani reports the Tennessee Department of Health is requiring immigration checks before the families of children with severe illnesses or health conditions including cancer, spina bifida or cystic fibrosis, can access Children’s Special Services.
Children’s Special Services is a last resort public health insurance program and a physician who serves on the Metro Nashville Board of Health calls it restriction of it “a huge threat to life for kids with significant disabilities and for families that can’t afford to support their kids.”
Tennessee Republicans have been taking victory laps since the end of the legislative session, touting their “Immigration 2026” agenda as a model for the nation. They can add this to their success list, because if the plan proceeds, one way or another there will be fewer immigrants in the state.
THE LOOKOUT’S TOP STORY
The Tennessee Department of Health is requiring families of kids with disabilities and life-threatening illnesses, such as cancer and spina bifida to verify immigration status in order to receive service. (Photo: Jose Carlos Cerdeno/Getty Images)
by Anita Wadhwani
Scores of low-income immigrant children living with critical illnesses could soon lose access to life-sustaining medical care after Tennessee officials directed public health departments to verify their immigration status and report to the federal government, according to the Tennessee Justice Center.
NEWS AND NOTES
DoD tweaks organized religion list after complaints of Latter-day Saints snub | Ashley Murray, States Newsroom
Trump administration swiftly moves ahead on plans to restrict voting by mail in the states | Jonathan Shorman, States Newsroom
FEATURED ON THE LOOKOUT
Sen. Tom Hatcher, chair of the Senate Corrections Oversight Subcommittee, was one of a trio of senators making an unannounced visit to check out conditions at a state prison where a guard was killed in February. (Photo: John Partipilo/Tennessee Lookout)
by Sam Stockard
Three Tennessee senators’ unannounced visit to the Morgan County state prison where an officer was killed this year caused a flare-up for Department of Correction Commissioner Frank Strada, according to one of the state lawmakers.
FEATURED ON THE LOOKOUT
North Dakota state Rep. Eric Murphy at home planning a day of canvassing in his Grand Forks district. Murphy, an incumbent Republican, faces a contested primary election from conservative challengers after he introduced a bill to expand abortion access last year. (Photo: Dan Koeck for ProPublica)
by Cassandra Jaramillo, ProPublica
At least four Republican state lawmakers who challenged severe abortion restrictions lost support from anti-abortion groups and key party allies and went on to lose primary elections, ProPublica found, while others, including Tennessee Sen. Richard Briggs, face challengers in their primary elections.
ICYMI
At a Tennessee hospital, a nurse stole fentanyl and AI missed it, state records say | Brett Kelman and Darius Tahir, KFF Health News
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