Healthcare (Healthcare Workforce)

in committee · Tennessee · House May 5, 2026

HB 1952: Optometry - As enacted, redefines the practice of optometry. - Amends TCA Title 63, Chapter 8.

HB 1952 expands the scope of practice for Tennessee optometrists by allowing them to perform certain surgical procedures for eye conditions, subject to board approval and specific training. The bill permits optometrists to conduct minor surgeries like eyelid lesion removals, abscess drainage, or simple laceration repairs (e.g., excising small non-cancerous growths or repairing small eyelid cuts), but explicitly prohibits procedures such as cataract surgery, LASIK, corneal transplants, or retina operations. It requires optometrists using local anesthetics for these procedures to meet board certification standards and provide proof of training. This change directly affects licensed optometrists in Tennessee, enabling them to provide more comprehensive primary eye care within defined limits.

Topics ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareExpands optometrists' scope to perform minor eye surgeries, improving patient access to eye care services without requiring ophthalmologist referrals for minor procedures.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Healthcare Workforce Medical Licensing

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signed · Tennessee · Senate Apr 6, 2026

SB 1580: Health Care - As enacted, prohibits a person from developing or deploying an artificial intelligence system that advertises or represents to the public that such system is or is able to act as a qualified mental health professional. - Amends TCA Title 33; Title 47 and Title 63.

SB 1580 prohibits developers and deployers of artificial intelligence systems from advertising or claiming that their AI can act as a qualified mental health professional. This directly affects AI companies and developers who market their systems to the public. Violations are treated as deceptive practices under Tennessee's Consumer Protection Act, subject to a $5,000 civil penalty per violation. The law defines "artificial intelligence" broadly as systems capable of human-like reasoning and learning.

Topics ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareProhibits AI from falsely claiming mental health professional status, protecting consumers and upholding service standards in mental health care.95% confidence ✓ TechnologySupports TechnologyProhibits AI from falsely advertising mental health services, a consumer protection measure aligning with technology regulation for user safety.85% confidence

Sub-Topics Healthcare Workforce Mental Health Artificial Intelligence

in committee · Tennessee · Senate Mar 3, 2026

SB 2033: Employees, Employers - As introduced, requires employers that condition employment or prospective employment upon an employee or prospective employee submitting to a mental health evaluation to grant the employee or prospective employee reasonable access to the results of the mental health evaluation, including any report from a mental health professional or other evaluator; provides a private right of action for an employee or prospective employee who is denied such access. - Amends TCA Title 8 and Title 50.

SB 2033 requires Tennessee employers who make mental health evaluations a condition of employment or hiring to provide employees and job applicants with reasonable access to the evaluation results, including reports from mental health professionals. This applies to all employers (including state agencies) and directly affects workers and job seekers who undergo such evaluations. The bill creates a private right of action, allowing individuals to sue employers who deny access to results and seek court orders, attorney fees, and costs if they win. The law takes effect upon enactment, ensuring transparency in employment-related mental health assessments.

Topics ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareProtects patient access to mental health evaluation results, aligning with healthcare rights protection under mental health services.90% confidence ✓ Labor & EmploymentSupports Labor & EmploymentRequires employers to grant workers access to mental health evaluation results and enables legal action for denial, directly protecting workers' rights regarding personal health data in employment decisions.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Healthcare Workforce Mental Health

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in committee · Tennessee · House Apr 15, 2026

HB 2046: TennCare - As introduced, directs the first $150 million of tax revenue generated by the health maintenance organization tax on or after July 1, 2026, to be utilized to draw down federal funds to reimburse a physician, advanced practice registered nurse, or physician assistant who is entitled to receive TennCare reimbursement for a CPT code for evaluation and management, obstetrics and gynecology, or anesthesia. - Amends TCA Title 56; Title 63; Title 68 and Title 71.

HB 2046 directs the first $150 million in health insurance tax revenue (starting July 2026) to access federal matching funds for specific healthcare providers. It will reimburse physicians, nurse practitioners, and physician assistants who provide services like office visits, women’s health care, or anesthesia under TennCare. Reimbursement will cover up to 110% of Medicare rates for these services. This applies to TennCare payments for care provided on or after July 2026.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesDirects $150M health insurance tax revenue to fund TennCare provider reimbursements, aligning with funding essential public services.95% confidence ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareDirects $150M tax revenue to reimburse providers at 110% Medicare rates for TennCare services, expanding funding for primary care, OB/GYN, and anesthesia access.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Revenue Healthcare Workforce Insurance Medicare

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signed · Tennessee · Senate May 5, 2026

SB 2076: Optometry - As enacted, redefines the practice of optometry. - Amends TCA Title 63, Chapter 8.

SB 2076 expands the scope of practice for Tennessee optometrists by allowing them to perform specific minor surgical procedures under local anesthesia, such as removing small eyelid lesions or treating minor lacerations. It directly affects licensed optometrists in Tennessee who meet certification requirements for administering local anesthetics. The bill permits procedures like excising non-malignant skin lesions under 5mm or draining eyelid abscesses, but explicitly prohibits more complex surgeries like cataract removal, LASIK, or retinal procedures. These changes are codified in amendments to Tennessee Code Annotated § 63-8-102, with all new surgical authority subject to board approval and strict limitations.

Topics ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareExpands optometrist scope to perform minor surgical procedures, increasing patient access to eye care services without specialist referrals.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Healthcare Workforce Medical Licensing

signed · Tennessee · House Apr 23, 2026

HB 2044: Medical Occupations - As enacted, allows a physician assistant to delegate medication administration to a certified medical assistant; adds categories of medications to the list of medications that a certified medical assistant is authorized to administer or prepare, and makes other related changes. - Amends TCA Title 63; Title 68, Chapter 11, Part 2 and Chapter 1042 of the Public Acts of 2024.

HB 2044 expands the scope of practice for certified medical assistants (CMAs) in Tennessee by allowing physician assistants (PAs) to delegate medication administration tasks to them. The bill specifically adds 15 medication categories to what CMAs can administer, including vaccines, oral/sublingual medications, topical treatments, inhalers, and certain anesthetic agents (like transdermal patches), while prohibiting delegation of tasks requiring clinical judgment. It requires ambulatory clinics to train and verify CMAs' competency for medication administration, updates certification requirements to include additional certifying bodies, and clarifies that PAs must work under protocols with collaborating physicians. The changes directly affect CMAs, PAs, and outpatient clinics, aiming to clarify delegation authority under existing medical practice laws.

Topics ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareExpands certified medical assistant scope to administer 15 new medication categories under PA delegation, improving patient access to care in ambulatory settings by increasing provider capacity.85% confidence

Sub-Topics Healthcare Workforce Medical Licensing

in committee · Tennessee · House Mar 11, 2026

HB 2016: Employees, Employers - As introduced, requires employers that condition employment or prospective employment upon an employee or prospective employee submitting to a mental health evaluation to grant the employee or prospective employee reasonable access to the results of the mental health evaluation, including any report from a mental health professional or other evaluator; provides a private right of action for an employee or prospective employee who is denied such access. - Amends TCA Title 8 and Title 50.

HB 2016 requires employers who make mental health evaluations a condition of employment to provide employees and job applicants with reasonable access to the results of those evaluations, including reports from mental health professionals. Employers must grant this access during normal business hours, and employees denied access can sue for a court order to obtain the results. If an employee wins such a lawsuit, they are entitled to recover court costs and attorney fees. The bill applies to both current employees and prospective hires, covering evaluations required for hiring or continued employment. It specifically targets employers who condition employment on submitting to mental health assessments.

Topics ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareProtects employee rights to access mental health evaluation results, ensuring transparency in employer-mandated mental health assessments under healthcare context.95% confidence ✓ Labor & EmploymentSupports Labor & EmploymentBill mandates employer access to mental health evaluation results for employees, protecting workers' rights and providing legal recourse for denial, directly strengthening employment standards.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Healthcare Workforce Mental Health

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in committee · Tennessee · Senate Apr 24, 2026

SB 1848: Controlled Substances - As enacted, authorizes additional healthcare providers to directly administer buprenorphine mono or buprenorphine without the use of naloxone; adds that prescribing a buprenorphine product to nursing mother or prescribing an injectable mono product does not restrict certain healthcare providers from prescribing a buprenorphine product for the treatment of opioid use disorder without naloxone. - Amends TCA Title 53, Chapter 11.

SB 1848 amends Tennessee law to expand access to buprenorphine treatment for opioid use disorder by allowing more healthcare providers (beyond physicians) to directly administer buprenorphine without naloxone, acting within their scope of practice. The bill specifically permits prescribing to nursing mothers and patients with documented adverse reactions to naloxone, and clarifies that prescribing injectable forms doesn't restrict providers from prescribing buprenorphine without naloxone. These changes aim to streamline treatment options while maintaining safety protocols for specific patient groups. The bill modifies Tennessee Code Annotated Sections 53-11-311(b)(1) and (c)(2).

Topics ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareExpands access to buprenorphine treatment for opioid use disorder by allowing more healthcare providers to prescribe without naloxone, improving patient access to critical care.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Healthcare Workforce Medical Licensing Substance Abuse

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in committee · Tennessee · Senate Apr 20, 2026

SB 2080: TennCare - As introduced, directs the first $150 million of tax revenue generated by the health maintenance organization tax on or after July 1, 2026, to be utilized to draw down federal funds to reimburse a physician, advanced practice registered nurse, or physician assistant who is entitled to receive TennCare reimbursement for a CPT code for evaluation and management, obstetrics and gynecology, or anesthesia. - Amends TCA Title 56; Title 63; Title 68 and Title 71.

SB 2080 directs the first $150 million in tax revenue from Tennessee's health maintenance organization tax (starting July 1, 2026) to draw down federal funds for specific healthcare providers. It requires reimbursement for physicians, advanced practice registered nurses, and physician assistants who treat TennCare patients for evaluation, obstetrics/gynecology, or anesthesia services using designated medical billing codes. Reimbursement must cover up to 110% of the current Medicare rate for those services. The bill applies to TennCare reimbursements for services provided on or after July 1, 2026.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesDirects $150M in existing tax revenue to fund healthcare provider reimbursements for TennCare, aligning with funding essential public services under budget/fiscal management.90% confidence ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareDirects $150M tax revenue to reimburse providers for TennCare services at 110% Medicare rate, expanding coverage access and funding for healthcare providers.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Revenue Healthcare Workforce Medicare

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in committee · Tennessee · House Apr 6, 2026

HB 1470: Health Care - As enacted, prohibits a person from developing or deploying an artificial intelligence system that advertises or represents to the public that such system is or is able to act as a qualified mental health professional. - Amends TCA Title 33; Title 47 and Title 63.

HB 1470 prohibits developers and deployers of artificial intelligence systems from advertising or representing to the public that their AI acts as a qualified mental health professional. This directly affects AI companies and developers creating mental health-related tools. Violations would be treated as deceptive acts under Tennessee's Consumer Protection Act, subject to a $5,000 civil penalty per violation. The law takes effect July 1, 2026, and defines "artificial intelligence" as systems capable of human-like reasoning and learning.

Topics ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareProhibits AI from falsely representing as mental health professionals, protecting patients from deceptive practices in mental health services.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Healthcare Workforce Mental Health Tags Artificial Intelligence

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