Healthcare

passed · Tennessee · Senate Apr 4, 2025

SB 1031: Drugs, Prescription - As enacted, enacts the "Restore Trust in Public Health Messaging Act." - Amends TCA Title 53 and Title 68.

SB 1031, the "Restore Trust in Public Health Messaging Act," requires Tennessee's health departments and state agencies to align all public communications about FDA-approved drugs and medical products with the FDA's official labels. It directly affects the Tennessee Department of Health, local health departments, and state executive branch employees who share information about medications or health products. The bill prohibits promoting claims that conflict with FDA labels, mandates internal reviews by July 2025, and requires annual compliance reports to the legislature. Violations trigger investigations by the comptroller, with potential penalties for noncompliance. This law aims to ensure state health messaging is scientifically accurate and consistent with federal standards.

Topics ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareRequires FDA-aligned public health messaging for drugs, preventing misleading claims and protecting public trust in healthcare information per bill's explicit mandate.90% confidence | Rep's Stance Voted absent

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in committee · Tennessee · Senate Apr 4, 2025

SB 321: Health Care - As enacted, creates the advisory task force on state reimbursement rates to make recommendations on annual adjustments to the reimbursement rates paid to agencies that perform healthcare functions and services, the purpose of which is to ensure such reimbursement rates are adequate. - Amends TCA Title 4; Title 62 and Title 63.

SB 321 creates an advisory task force to review and recommend annual adjustments to state reimbursement rates paid to healthcare providers under state contracts. The task force, composed of 6 appointed members (3 by each legislative chamber, representing health professions) plus agency representatives, will assess whether reimbursement rates cover agencies' costs, staff salaries, and administrative expenses for frontline healthcare workers. It must submit annual recommendations by August 1, starting in 2026, focusing on ensuring rates are adequate to support quality care for vulnerable populations. This bill directly affects state-contracted healthcare agencies and providers who serve Medicaid and other state-funded programs.

Topics ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareBill creates task force to ensure state reimbursement rates cover healthcare agencies' costs, staff salaries, and expenses, directly advancing provider funding adequacy.95% confidence | Rep's Stance ✓ Voted Yes ✓ Supports Healthcare

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in committee · Tennessee · Senate Apr 4, 2025

SB 267: Health Care - As enacted, clarifies that an additional license for a collection station is not required, without regard to where specimens are transported, as long as the medical laboratory owner of the licensed medical laboratory retains ownership of the medical laboratory and oversight of the collection station. - Amends TCA Title 68, Chapter 29.

SB 267 clarifies that medical laboratories operating collection stations in Tennessee do not need an additional license for those stations, regardless of where specimens are transported, provided the laboratory owner retains full ownership and oversight. This directly affects medical laboratories and their collection sites, eliminating redundant licensing requirements. The bill amends Tennessee Code Annotated § 68-29-122 to specify that only non-owner-operated collection stations require a separate license, while all stations must still follow board rules. The change takes effect July 1, 2025, streamlining operations for lab-owned collection points.

Topics ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareRemoves redundant licensing barriers for medical labs, improving operational efficiency and access to testing services without restricting care.85% confidence | Rep's Stance ✓ Voted Yes ✓ Supports Healthcare

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in committee · Tennessee · Senate Apr 4, 2025

SB 522: TennCare - As enacted, authorizes the bureau to provide coverage and treatment on behalf of an enrollee for the diagnosis, including genetic testing, and treatment of Kleefstra syndrome in the same manner and to the same extent that the bureau provides coverage for autism spectrum disorder, Trisomy 21 or Down syndrome, and other similar or related genetic disorders, when determined to be medically necessary. - Amends TCA Title 56 and Title 71.

SB 522 requires Tennessee's TennCare program to cover diagnosis (including genetic testing) and treatment for Kleefstra syndrome - a rare genetic disorder causing developmental delays, intellectual disability, and physical symptoms - on the same terms as coverage for autism spectrum disorder, Down syndrome, and similar genetic conditions. This mandate applies directly to TennCare enrollees diagnosed with Kleefstra syndrome, ensuring access to therapies, medications, and interventions aimed at improving quality of life. The bill updates TennCare coverage rules to include this condition under existing standards for comparable genetic disorders. It takes effect July 1, 2025.

Topics ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareMandates TennCare coverage for Kleefstra syndrome diagnosis/treatment identical to autism/Down syndrome, expanding health coverage for rare genetic disorders without restrictions.95% confidence | Rep's Stance ✓ Voted Yes ✓ Supports Healthcare

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passed both · Tennessee · Senate Apr 4, 2025

SB 318: Anatomical Gifts - As enacted, enacts the "Tennessee Genomic Security and End Organ Harvesting Act." - Amends TCA Title 56 and Title 68.

SB 318, the "Tennessee Genomic Security and End Organ Harvesting Act," prohibits Tennessee health insurers from covering organ transplants sourced from the People's Republic of China or performed there, effective January 1, 2026. It also bans medical and research facilities from using genetic sequencing equipment or software produced by or linked to "foreign adversaries" (defined as nations on U.S. sanctions lists), requiring replacement within 180 days. The bill restricts storage of genetic sequencing data to U.S. geographic locations and prohibits remote access from outside the U.S. without state health commissioner approval. These provisions directly affect health insurers, hospitals, and research facilities operating in Tennessee.

Topics ✗ HealthcareOpposes HealthcareProhibits insurers from covering China-sourced organ transplants and bans foreign-linked genetic equipment, restricting healthcare access and coverage options.90% confidence ✗ TechnologyOpposes TechnologyRestricts use of genetic sequencing tech from foreign adversaries, banning equipment linked to sanctioned nations and requiring replacement within 180 days.95% confidence | Rep's Stance ✓ Voted Yes ✗ Opposes Healthcare

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signed · Tennessee · House Apr 4, 2025

HB 395: Anatomical Gifts - As enacted, enacts the "Tennessee Genomic Security and End Organ Harvesting Act." - Amends TCA Title 56 and Title 68.

HB 395, the "Tennessee Genomic Security and End Organ Harvesting Act," prohibits Tennessee health insurers from covering organ transplants or post-transplant care if the organ was sourced from China or procured through sale/donation originating in China. It also bans medical and research facilities from using genetic sequencing equipment or software produced by entities linked to "foreign adversaries" (specifically targeting China per the bill's context), requiring replacement within 180 days. Additionally, the bill mandates that all genetic sequencing data must be stored within the United States, with remote access from outside the country prohibited without approval from the state health commissioner. The law takes effect on January 1, 2026, directly affecting health insurers, hospitals, and research facilities operating in Tennessee.

Topics ✗ HealthcareOpposes HealthcareRestricts insurer coverage for China-sourced organ transplants, limiting patient access to transplant care and prohibiting certain medical equipment use related to healthcare services.90% confidence ✗ TechnologyOpposes TechnologyBans use of Chinese-linked genetic sequencing tech for security, restricting foreign technology access per cybersecurity focus.92% confidence | Rep's Stance ✓ Voted Yes ✗ Opposes Healthcare

signed · Tennessee · House Apr 4, 2025

HB 498: Health Care - As enacted, creates the advisory task force on state reimbursement rates to make recommendations on annual adjustments to the reimbursement rates paid to agencies that perform healthcare functions and services, the purpose of which is to ensure such reimbursement rates are adequate. - Amends TCA Title 4; Title 62 and Title 63.

HB 498 creates an advisory task force to review and recommend annual adjustments to state reimbursement rates paid to healthcare agencies in Tennessee. The task force, composed of 6 appointed members (3 by each legislative chamber, representing different health professions) and ex-officio agency representatives, will focus on ensuring rates cover agency costs, staff salaries, and administrative needs. It must submit annual recommendations by August 1, starting in 2026, to state officials and legislative committees, considering factors like provider costs, staff compensation, and workforce shortages. The bill directly affects healthcare agencies providing state-funded services, aiming to make reimbursement rates more adequate without changing existing funding levels.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesCreates task force to ensure healthcare reimbursement rates cover agency costs, directly supporting adequate state budget allocation for healthcare services.90% confidence ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareCreates task force to recommend annual reimbursement rate adjustments ensuring healthcare agencies cover costs, staff salaries, and admin needs, advancing funding stability for providers.95% confidence | Rep's Stance ✓ Voted Yes ✓ Supports Healthcare

signed · Tennessee · House Apr 4, 2025

HB 502: TennCare - As enacted, authorizes the bureau to provide coverage and treatment on behalf of an enrollee for the diagnosis, including genetic testing, and treatment of Kleefstra syndrome in the same manner and to the same extent that the bureau provides coverage for autism spectrum disorder, Trisomy 21 or Down syndrome, and other similar or related genetic disorders, when determined to be medically necessary. - Amends TCA Title 56 and Title 71.

HB 502 expands TennCare coverage to include diagnosis (including genetic testing) and treatment for Kleefstra syndrome, a rare genetic disorder affecting development and multiple body systems. It requires TennCare to provide this coverage in the same manner and extent as for autism spectrum disorder, Down syndrome (Trisomy 21), and other similar genetic disorders, when medically necessary. This applies to all enrolled individuals with Kleefstra syndrome and covers therapies, medications, assistive devices, and interventions aimed at improving quality of life. The law takes effect July 1, 2025, after being signed by the Governor in April 2025.

Topics ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareExpands TennCare coverage for Kleefstra syndrome diagnosis/treatment, aligning with autism and Down syndrome coverage, advancing patient access to medically necessary care.95% confidence | Rep's Stance ✓ Voted Yes ✓ Supports Healthcare

passed · Tennessee · Senate Apr 3, 2025

SB 152: Health Care - As introduced, authorizes a patient with a severe chronic disease or terminal illness to access, and a physician to recommend, investigational stem cell treatment; requires the commissioner of health to promulgate rules to, among other things, list the medical conditions that constitute a qualifying severe chronic disease or terminal illness. - Amends TCA Title 53; Title 63 and Title 68.

SB 152 allows patients with severe chronic diseases or terminal illnesses to access investigational stem cell treatments (adult stem cell therapies still in clinical trials and not yet FDA-approved) after their doctors confirm other FDA-approved treatments aren't viable. It requires Tennessee’s health commissioner to create rules listing qualifying medical conditions and mandates doctors to document that all standard treatments were considered before recommending these experimental therapies. The bill also protects physicians from license penalties for following these guidelines and prohibits government interference with patient access. This directly affects patients with qualifying conditions and their treating physicians in Tennessee.

Topics ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareBill expands patient access to investigational stem cell treatments for severe/terminal illnesses after standard FDA-approved options fail, requiring physician documentation and health commissioner rules to enable this care pathway.95% confidence | Rep's Stance ✓ Voted Yes ✓ Supports Healthcare

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passed · Tennessee · House Apr 3, 2025

HB 1201: Medical Occupations - As introduced, limits a foreign training license of limited duration to an internationally licensed physician who meets certain listed criteria. - Amends TCA Title 63.

HB 1201 creates a temporary "foreign training license" for internationally licensed physicians in Tennessee who meet specific criteria. It directly affects physicians trained outside the U.S. but holding valid licenses in their home countries, requiring them to provide proof of an AMA-approved medical education, an ECFMG certificate, three years of postgraduate training (or seven years of practice), and current good standing in their home licensing country. The license is tied to a specific Tennessee healthcare employer, requiring applicants to have a job offer from that provider and restricting practice to that employer unless the board is notified of a change. After two years of active practice in Tennessee under this license, physicians may qualify for a full, unrestricted medical license. The bill takes effect July 1, 2025.

Topics ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareCreates pathway for foreign physicians to practice in TN with specific qualifications, potentially increasing healthcare provider access and workforce diversity.90% confidence | Rep's Stance ✓ Voted Yes ✓ Supports Healthcare

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