NASHVILLE (AP) - Tea party protesters gathered outside the state Capitol on Wednesday to call on Republican Gov. Bill Haslam to reject the creation of a state-run health insurance exchange under President Barack Obama's health care overhaul.
About 300 protesters were joined by a handful of GOP lawmakers and talk radio personalities. Throughout the nearly two-hour rally, protesters chanted "just say no," and many held signs stating the same.
Tennessee is one of 10 states yet to decide whether it will run its own health insurance marketplace, let the federal government handle it or choose a hybrid of the two. The deadline to decide is Dec. 14.
Protester Micah Forrest of Murfreesboro said the federal government should do it.
"They're the ones that passed the law ... let them figure out how to run it," said Forrest, who owns a business.
Haslam told reporters earlier this week that while he personally opposes the federal health care law, he wants to be certain to choose the insurance exchange that best fits Tennessee.
"We have to do what's right for us," he said. "And I think we have a certain advantage because we've been in TennCare for so long and have had folks working on this. I think the people of Tennessee want me to make the most thoughtful decision we can."
Haslam stressed that even if he decides to proceed with a state-run marketplace, the measure would still have to be approved in the Legislature, where there appears to be little appetite for appearing to agree with any element of the health care law.
Asked whether a state-run exchange would be a tough sale for the Haslam administration, Haslam responded: "No question."
Senate Republican Caucus Chairman Bill Ketron of Murfreesboro agreed. He noted how the six newly elected state senators opposed the health care law in mailings during their campaigns.
"The first bullet point on all six of their mail pieces sai d that they will not support Obamacare, so you can't expect them to come back on their first vote and go against what they promised their constituents to get elected," said Ketron, who spoke at the rally.
Radio personality Carl Boyd Jr. told the crowd that Haslam should be given the boot if he goes ahead with a state-run exchange.
"If Haslam won't listen to the people, then it's time to put Haslam out of office," he said.