Healthcare

in committee · Tennessee · House May 27, 2026

HB 1959: Pharmacy, Pharmacists - As enacted, enacts the "Freedom, Access, and Integrity in Registered Pharmacy (FAIR Rx) Act." - Amends TCA Title 63.

HB 1959, the "FAIR Rx Act," prohibits pharmacy benefits managers (PBMs) from owning, controlling, or having any financial interest in pharmacies after January 1, 2027. It directly affects PBMs and pharmacies by banning arrangements like management contracts, revenue-sharing, or exclusive agreements that transfer operational control to PBMs. The bill requires pharmacies to disclose owners with 5%+ stakes and restricts limited-use pharmacy licenses from being sold to PBMs. These provisions aim to prevent conflicts of interest that could limit patient choice, increase costs, or undermine pharmacist independence in medication care.

Topics ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareProhibits PBMs from owning pharmacies to prevent conflicts of interest, aiming to improve patient access and lower drug costs by increasing pharmacy independence.85% confidence | Rep's Stance Voted absent

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died · Tennessee · House May 18, 2026

HB 819: Health Care - As enacted, revises law relative to the operation of acute care hospitals. - Amends TCA Title 4; Title 33; Title 68; Title 71 and Chapter 985 of the Public Acts of 2024.

HB 819 removes a regulatory requirement for acute care hospitals in Tennessee. It exempts these hospitals - defined as facilities treating patients with an average stay of 25 days or less - from needing state approval (a "certificate of need") to open or operate new facilities or expand services. The exemption takes effect on July 1, 2028, and applies to all acute care hospitals under Tennessee law. This change directly affects hospital operators by reducing one layer of state oversight for their facility planning.

Topics ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareRemoves regulatory barrier (certificate of need) for hospital expansion, enabling increased access to acute care services by reducing state oversight.85% confidence | Rep's Stance Voted absent

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signed · Tennessee · House May 15, 2026

HB 754: Health Care - As enacted, revises law relative to gender clinics and related services. - Amends TCA Title 1; Title 4; Title 33; Title 56; Title 63; Title 68 and Title 71.

HB 754 requires gender clinics receiving state funding and insurance providers covering gender transition procedures to also offer and cover detransition services (medical or mental health care to reverse or manage effects of transition). It applies specifically to state-funded clinics and insurers, mandating they report detailed statistics on gender transition procedures to the Tennessee Department of Health. The reporting includes patient demographics, procedure types, medications, and diagnoses - while excluding personally identifiable health information. Data must be submitted monthly and compiled into an annual public report starting in 2025. The bill does not restrict access to gender transition care but adds transparency and service parity requirements.

Topics ✗ HealthcareOpposes HealthcareMandates detransition coverage for state-funded clinics/insurers covering gender transition, restricting provider flexibility and expanding regulatory burden on gender healthcare services.85% confidence | Rep's Stance ✗ Voted No ✓ Supports Healthcare

failed · Tennessee · Senate Apr 24, 2026

SB 1389: TennCare - As introduced, prohibits a healthcare provider who participates in the TennCare or CoverKids programs from refusing to provide healthcare services to an enrollee based solely upon the enrollee’s refusal to obtain a vaccine or immunization; prohibits the bureau from reimbursing a healthcare provider in violation of such prohibition; requires the director to adopt rules. - Amends TCA Title 33; Title 56; Title 63; Title 68 and Title 71.

SB 1389 prohibits healthcare providers participating in Tennessee's TennCare or CoverKids programs from refusing to treat patients solely because they decline vaccines or immunizations. It requires the state to stop reimbursing providers who violate this rule and mandates the TennCare director to create implementing regulations. The law excludes oncology and organ transplant specialists from the prohibition. The bill takes effect July 1, 2025, with rules to be established under state administrative procedures.

Topics ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareProhibits denial of care based on vaccine refusal, enhancing patient access to TennCare services and protecting patient rights in healthcare delivery.95% confidence | Rep's Stance ✗ Voted No ✗ Opposes Healthcare

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signed · Tennessee · House Apr 23, 2026

HB 1665: Health Care - As enacted, prohibits certain healthcare providers from knowingly or willfully asking a minor, or a health insurance issuer, managed care organization, or entity providing reimbursement for healthcare services from requiring or requesting a healthcare provider or facility to ask, certain gender-related questions for any purpose; makes other related changes. - Amends TCA Title 4; Title 33; Title 47; Title 56; Title 63; Title 68 and Title 71.

HB 1665 prohibits healthcare providers in Tennessee from asking minors specific gender-related questions (such as whether a minor feels normal in their body or identifies as a different gender) without a parent being physically present, fully informed, and providing written consent. The bill applies to all healthcare settings covered under Tennessee law and requires such questions to be directly related to a minor's current medical or psychological treatment. Exceptions include emergency care, mandated reporting for abuse, and situations where a minor is emancipated or a parent themselves. The legislation also bars insurance companies from requiring these questions for payment or penalizing providers who don't ask them. It amends multiple Tennessee code sections (Titles 4, 33, 47, 56, 63, 68, 71) to enforce these requirements.

Topics ✗ HealthcareOpposes HealthcareRestricts healthcare providers from asking minors gender-related questions without parental consent, limiting access to gender-affirming care for minors.95% confidence | Rep's Stance Voted absent

in committee · Tennessee · House Apr 15, 2026

HJR 28: Constitutional Amendments - Proposes an amendment to Article I of the Constitution of Tennessee to grant a person the right to forgo medical treatment. -

This resolution proposes a constitutional amendment to Tennessee's Constitution, granting individuals the right to refuse any medical treatment - including procedures, medications, vaccinations, or other interventions - without being forced to undergo it, even during a state emergency. It would directly affect all Tennesseans by establishing a new constitutional right to medical autonomy. The amendment requires the Tennessee General Assembly to create laws implementing this right, though it does not specify how such laws would operate.

Topics ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareEstablishes constitutional right to refuse treatment, protecting patient autonomy in healthcare decisions as a core patient right indicator.95% confidence | Rep's Stance ✗ Voted No ✗ Opposes Healthcare

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in committee · Tennessee · House Apr 15, 2026

HB 372: TennCare - As introduced, enacts the "Tennessee Medicaid Modernization and Access Act of 2025," which aligns TennCare's current Medicaid reimbursement rates for obstetrics/gynecology, primary care, outpatient mental health, and substance use disorder treatment with the Medicare fee schedule or average commercial rates, whichever is higher. - Amends TCA Title 63; Title 68 and Title 71.

HB 372, the "Tennessee Medicaid Modernization and Access Act of 2025," aligns TennCare’s reimbursement rates for key healthcare services - obstetrics/gynecology, primary care, outpatient mental health, and substance use disorder treatment - with either the Medicare fee schedule or average commercial rates in Tennessee, whichever is higher. This change directly affects healthcare providers who serve Medicaid patients and Medicaid beneficiaries, particularly in rural and underserved areas, by ensuring providers receive fairer compensation. The bill requires annual reviews to update rates based on Medicare or commercial benchmarks and mandates new annual reports on fiscal impacts and access improvements. It does not automatically appropriate funds but requires future budget allocations to cover implementation costs.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesIncreases state Medicaid spending by aligning provider reimbursement rates with higher Medicare/commercial benchmarks, funding essential healthcare access for underserved populations.95% confidence ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareAligns TennCare reimbursement rates with higher Medicare/commercial rates, improving provider access and patient care for key services including mental health and substance use treatment in underserved areas.95% confidence | Rep's Stance ✓ Voted Yes ✓ Supports Healthcare

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in committee · Tennessee · House Mar 24, 2026

HB 387: Medical Occupations - As introduced, prohibits a healthcare provider from inquiring as to a patient's ownership, possession of, or access to firearm ammunition or firearm accessories; subjects the healthcare provider to disciplinary action and a fine of $1,000 if the healthcare provider makes such inquires. - Amends TCA Title 63 and Title 68.

HB 387 prohibits Tennessee healthcare providers from asking patients about firearm ammunition or accessory ownership, possession, or access. It also bans denying treatment or discriminating against patients based on firearm ownership, and requires written notice if an inquiry occurs. Violations result in disciplinary action by the provider’s licensing board and a $1,000 fine per violation. The law applies to most healthcare providers (excluding psychiatrists/psychologists) and takes effect July 1, 2025. It directly affects patient-provider interactions in medical settings across Tennessee.

Topics ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareProhibits healthcare providers from inquiring about firearm ownership/access, preventing discrimination and protecting patient rights in healthcare settings per bill's explicit language.95% confidence | Rep's Stance ✗ Voted No ✗ Opposes Healthcare

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failed · Tennessee · House Mar 18, 2026

HB 2166: Hospitals and Health Care Facilities - As introduced, requires a blood bank to comply with a physician's order for an autologous blood donation or directed blood donation for a specific patient; requires a hospital to allow a patient who is scheduled for a medical procedure to provide an autologous blood donation or directed blood donation upon order of a physician. - Amends TCA Title 68, Chapter 32.

HB 2166 requires blood banks to follow a physician's order for a patient's own blood donation (autologous) or a donation specifically designated for that patient (directed). It also mandates hospitals to permit such donations for patients scheduled for medical procedures, unless medically unsafe or incompatible with safety standards. The bill allows facilities to charge reasonable administrative fees but explicitly states it does not override existing federal or state blood safety, testing, or compatibility requirements. This directly affects patients needing scheduled procedures, blood banks, and hospitals by streamlining access to pre-donated blood while maintaining all current safety protocols.

Topics ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareRequires blood banks/hospitals to facilitate patient-specific blood donations, improving access to safe transfusions and protecting patient rights without restrictions.95% confidence | Rep's Stance Voted absent

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in committee · Tennessee · House Mar 17, 2026

HB 867: Women - As introduced, creates a pilot program to be administered by the bureau of TennCare to provide pregnant TennCare recipients improved maternal health care through remote patient monitoring for maternal hypertension and maternal diabetes. - Amends TCA Title 56; Title 63; Title 68 and Title 71.

HB 867 creates a pilot program for pregnant TennCare recipients with hypertension or diabetes, using remote patient monitoring to improve maternal health outcomes. The program requires technology vendors to provide devices that track blood pressure, glucose, and other health data, deliver devices directly to participants, and train them on use - ensuring functionality without broadband access. A nursing team and healthcare provider must monitor data, provide health coaching, and establish emergency protocols. The pilot aims to serve at least 300 participants across selected counties and must launch within 180 days of vendor contracts. The bill is currently pending review by the Finance, Ways, and Means Committee.

Topics ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareBill creates remote monitoring pilot for pregnant TennCare recipients with hypertension/diabetes to improve maternal health outcomes, directly advancing healthcare access and quality for vulnerable patients.95% confidence | Rep's Stance ✓ Voted Yes ✓ Supports Healthcare

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