This is a resolution (not a binding bill), formally urging the U.S. Congress to enact legislation that would expand veterans' access to treatments for traumatic brain injury (TBI) and post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD). It specifically references the Veterans' National Traumatic Injury Treatment Act (H.R. 3649), which would fund pilot programs for therapies like hyperbaric oxygen therapy alongside counseling. The resolution does not create new policy but requests Congress adopt such legislation to improve veteran care. It directly affects veterans with TBI or PTSD by advocating for broader treatment options.
HB 329 allows certain bank-run health insurance arrangements (called "multiple employer welfare arrangements" or MEWAs) operating across state lines to be treated as domestic Tennessee arrangements if they meet specific conditions. It affects bank-based MEWAs that are licensed in a neighboring state, serve no more than 2,500 Tennessee employees, and comply with regulatory oversight similar to Tennessee standards. Key provisions require these arrangements to be exclusively for banks, avoid health-based enrollment restrictions, and obtain approval from Tennessee's insurance commissioner. The bill aims to simplify regulatory compliance for these arrangements while ensuring they meet solvency and oversight standards. This change took effect after becoming law in May 2025 (Public Chapter 161).
SB 1304 extends Tennessee's Access Tennessee health insurance program, which provides coverage for low-income residents, from ending on June 30, 2025, to June 30, 2030. The bill amends Tennessee Code Annotated Section 56-7-2916 to update the program's expiration date. This change ensures continued eligibility for current participants and future enrollees who qualify under the program's existing income and coverage criteria. The extension applies to all individuals currently enrolled or who meet the program's requirements before 2030.
HB 654 requires most Tennessee health insurance plans (including TennCare and CoverKids) to cover mental health and substance abuse services through a specific integrated care model called the Psychiatric Collaborative Care Model (PCCM), starting July 1, 2025. This model involves primary care providers, care managers, and psychiatric consultants working together to coordinate treatment using validated tools. Insurers may only deny coverage for these services based on medical necessity if they already comply with existing state and federal parity laws. The law directly affects insurers, healthcare providers, and patients seeking mental health/substance abuse treatment covered by these plans.
SB 437 requires most health insurance plans in Tennessee to cover mental health and substance abuse services through a specific integrated care model called the Psychiatric Collaborative Care Model (PCCM), effective July 1, 2025. This model involves primary care providers, care managers, and psychiatric consultants working together to coordinate patient treatment using validated tools and regular assessments. Insurance plans may deny coverage only if they comply with existing state and federal mental health parity laws (including the MHPAEA) and medical necessity standards. The requirement applies to TennCare and CoverKids programs when services are deemed medically necessary by program guidelines.
HB 1318 extends Tennessee's Access Tennessee health insurance program, which provides coverage to low-income residents, by changing its expiration date from June 30, 2025, to June 30, 2030. This amendment directly affects qualifying Tennessee residents who rely on the program for health coverage, ensuring continued access through 2030. The bill modifies Tennessee Code Annotated Section 56-7-2916 to reflect the new end date without altering program eligibility or benefits. It is a straightforward extension of an existing state program, not a new policy. The bill became law as Public Chapter 185 on April 30, 2025.
SB 1178 requires Tennessee's Department of Disability and Aging and TennCare to create guidelines enabling family members to work as caregivers for people with disabilities. It prohibits Medicaid service providers from denying employment to qualified family caregivers based on factors like family relationship, residence, age, or guardianship status. The bill also prevents providers from reducing benefits for individuals with disabilities solely because their caregiver is a family member. These changes ensure family caregivers can work without discrimination under Tennessee's Medicaid programs.
HB 515 requires Tennessee school districts and public charter schools to include state-published information about Type 1 and Type 2 diabetes when sharing health-related updates with parents of K-12 students. Starting August 1, 2025, schools must provide this specific diabetes information, which covers descriptions, risk factors, warning signs, screening processes, and treatment recommendations. The Tennessee Department of Education, working with the Department of Health, must publish this free resource on its website by July 31, 2025, for schools to access and distribute. This bill directly affects school districts, charter schools, and parents of K-12 students by standardizing diabetes health information in school communications.
HB 712 requires Tennessee's Department of Disability and Aging and TennCare to create and publish guidelines for hiring family members as caregivers for individuals with disabilities receiving Medicaid services. It prohibits service providers from denying employment to qualified family caregivers based on factors like family relationships, residence, age, guardianship status, or specific Medicaid waiver programs (including Katie Beckett and self-determination waivers). The bill also prevents providers from reducing benefits for individuals with disabilities solely because care is provided by a family member, unless through the person-centered planning process. This directly affects family caregivers seeking employment, disability service providers, and individuals receiving long-term care services under Tennessee's Medicaid programs.
HB 243 extends the legal existence of Tennessee's Department of Mental Health and Substance Abuse Services until June 30, 2029, preventing its automatic termination. The bill amends Tennessee Code Annotated sections 4-29-246 and 4-29-250 to remove the department's previous sunset date and formally define it within state law. This affects the department's ongoing operations and the Tennessee residents who rely on its services. The law became effective April 29, 2025, after passing through the legislature.
