NASHVILLE (AP) — Democratic nominee for governor Karl Dean is running a TV ad that touts his support for expanding Medicaid, drawing a contrast with Republican nominee and expansion opponent Bill Lee.

In the new ad, Dean says Tennessee sends tax dollars to Washington to help other states and burns $3.8 million a day by refusing to expand its Medicaid program, TennCare. The amount refers to how much Tennessee would receive from the federal government if it expanded TennCare under former President Barack Obama's health care law. Dean's ad argues more hospitals will close without expansion.

Term-limited Republican Gov. Bill Haslam has pushed for TennCare expansion, but the Republican-led legislature has rejected his idea.

Lee has opposed Medicaid expansion, saying systematic changes are needed to increase incentive to lower health care costs.