MEMPHIS, TN (abc24.com)- It's a tale of two programs and it's causing confusion. Shelby County unveiled its new health care initiative this week. At that same event, Memphis Mayor A C Wharton brought attention to one of his programs.
That's how the confusion and controversy began. Mayor Wharton’s program pays poor kids who make good grades and families who maintain their health.
It uses a small amount of taxpayer dollars but by and large is paid for with donations. When he mentioned the program at a Shelby County function, many people believed it was part of the County's new initiative.
It all sounded great, “trying to keep people healthy or to make them healthier so they don't need health care,” Dr. Kenneth Robinson said.
Faith, business and medical leaders linked arms with Shelby County government to provide better and cheaper health services.
Then, Memphis Mayor A C Wharton dropped the bombshell.
“Some will receive cash payments if they are diabetic, if they get on a diet, if they keep their visits. That program is ready to be kicked off and we will be rolling it into this overall initiative,” Wharton said.
You mean into Shelby County's new initiative?The quarter million dollar program that taxpayers are footing the bill for?
“It seems like everybody is paying for somebody else,” Mike Martin said.
Turns out, that's not what Mayor Wharton meant, but once he said it, the well-intended plug for his program fueled the debate over how to spend taxpayer money.
“If I'm paying for somebody else I'm not getting anything in return, it's just a bad way we're going about things in this country and things need to change,” Martin said.
“I'd rather see people healthy instead of showing up in the emergency room when it's too late and then that will probably be a bigger bill for the taxpayers,” Ray Townsel said.
