Healthcare (Public Health)

in committee · Tennessee · Senate Feb 5, 2026

SB 2045: Public Health - As introduced, requires healthcare provider regulatory authorities to report quarterly to the department of health the number and type of disciplinary actions taken against a healthcare provider for knowingly performing or offering to perform on a minor, or administering or offering to administer to a minor, a prohibited medical procedure. - Amends TCA Title 63 and Title 68, Chapter 33.

SB 2045 requires healthcare regulatory authorities in Tennessee to report quarterly to the Department of Health the number and type of disciplinary actions taken against providers who knowingly perform or offer prohibited medical procedures on minors. This applies specifically to disciplinary actions under Tennessee Code Annotated, Titles 63 and 68, Chapter 33. The bill mandates that these reports include details about violations involving minors and prohibited procedures, enhancing transparency for the Department of Health. It does not change the definition of prohibited procedures but focuses on requiring regular reporting of disciplinary outcomes. The bill directly affects healthcare providers who violate these provisions and the regulatory bodies overseeing their licensing.

Topics ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareMandates reporting of disciplinary actions for prohibited procedures on minors, enhancing transparency and accountability in healthcare provider oversight for minor health protections.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Public Health

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died · Tennessee · House Feb 6, 2025

HB 1070: Human Resources, Department of - As introduced, enacts the "Tennessee Health SNAP Act", which requires the department to submit a request for a waiver from the United States department of agriculture's food and nutrition service to seek authorization to prohibit the use of SNAP benefits for the purchase of candy and soft drinks. - Amends TCA Title 71.

HB 1070, introduced as the "Tennessee Health SNAP Act," proposes requiring the Tennessee Department of Human Resources to seek a federal waiver from the USDA to prohibit SNAP (Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program) benefits from being used to buy candy and soft drinks. The bill would mandate that any waiver request include public health justification, a plan for retailer system updates, recipient education on healthy alternatives, and tracking mechanisms for spending and health outcomes. If approved, the restriction would apply to SNAP users in Tennessee, excluding milk-based drinks and beverages with over 50% juice. The bill was filed on February 5, 2025, but withdrawn the next day and never advanced.

Topics ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareBill mandates SNAP restrictions on unhealthy items with public health justification, aligning with healthcare policy goals to improve population health outcomes through nutrition programs.92% confidence

Sub-Topics Public Health

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introduced · Tennessee · House Feb 10, 2025

HB 1119: Public Health - As introduced, requires the attorney general to report to the speaker of the senate and the speaker of the house of representatives certain information regarding violations of the prohibition against using medical procedures to enable a minor to identify with, or live as, a purported identity inconsistent with the minor's sex or to treat purported discomfort or distress from discordance between the minor's sex and asserted identity. - Amends TCA Title 9; Title 14; Title 28; Title 29; Title 33; Title 34; Title 36; Title 37; Title 39; Title 40; Title 49; Title 50; Title 56; Title 63; Title 68 and Title 71.

HB 1119 requires Tennessee's Attorney General to annually report by March 1 to the Senate and House Speakers on violations of a prohibition against medical procedures for minors that are inconsistent with the minor's sex or to treat gender dysphoria. The report must include the number of violations reported, actions taken against healthcare providers, and civil penalties collected from enforcement. This bill adds a transparency requirement for existing restrictions but does not change the underlying prohibition on such medical procedures. The reporting applies only to violations reported to the Attorney General under current law.

Topics ✗ HealthcareOpposes HealthcareRestricts gender-affirming medical care for minors by requiring enforcement reporting on violations of existing prohibitions against such procedures.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Public Health

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passed · Tennessee · House Mar 13, 2025

HB 1236: Human Resources, Department of - As introduced, enacts the "Tennessee Health SNAP Act," which requires the department to submit a request for a waiver from the United States department of agriculture's food and nutrition service to seek authorization to prohibit the use of SNAP benefits for the purchase of candy and soft drinks. - Amends TCA Title 71.

HB 1236, the "Tennessee Health SNAP Act," would require Tennessee's Department of Human Resources to seek a federal waiver from the USDA to prohibit SNAP (food stamp) benefits from being used to purchase candy and soft drinks. If approved, this restriction would directly affect SNAP recipients in Tennessee who currently use benefits for these items. The bill mandates that the waiver request include public health justification, a plan for retailer system updates, recipient education on healthy alternatives, and a tracking system for spending and health data. It also requires annual reports to state leaders on the waiver status and impact. The bill is pending Senate action and would take effect July 1, 2025, if enacted.

Topics ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareRestricts SNAP use for unhealthy items to promote public health, requiring health justification per bill summary, aligning with healthcare policy goals.92% confidence

Sub-Topics Public Health

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signed · Tennessee · House Mar 31, 2025

HB 383: Infectious Diseases - As enacted, directs the commissioner of health to, on or before July 1, 2025, add alpha-gal syndrome to the department of health's published list of reportable diseases and conditions, the occurrence of which must be reported to the department by a healthcare provider pursuant to existing administrative rule. - Amends TCA Title 4; Title 63 and Title 68.

HB 383 requires Tennessee's health commissioner to add alpha-gal syndrome - a rare meat allergy triggered by tick bites - to the state's official list of reportable diseases by July 1, 2025. Healthcare providers must then report diagnosed cases to the Department of Health under existing rules. This bill directly affects medical professionals who will need to submit these reports and public health officials who will track the condition. The law amends Tennessee Code Titles 4, 63, and 68 to implement this change, effective March 26, 2025.

Topics ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareMandates adding alpha-gal syndrome to reportable diseases for public health tracking, strengthening disease surveillance and reporting requirements under healthcare policy.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Public Health

signed · Tennessee · Senate Mar 28, 2025

SB 1283: Public Health - As enacted, adds as a disease for which a laboratory must test during a standard serological test of a pregnant woman hepatitis C antibody (anti-HCV) with automatic reflex to HCV RNA if anti-HCV is reactive, and makes certain other changes to the process of conducting required pregnancy serological tests. - Amends TCA Section 68-5-602.

This bill adds hepatitis C antibody (anti-HCV) testing to the standard blood screening required for all pregnant women in Tennessee during initial prenatal visits and between weeks 28-32 of pregnancy. If the anti-HCV test is reactive, labs must automatically conduct a follow-up HCV RNA test without requiring additional orders. It directly affects all pregnant women receiving routine prenatal care in Tennessee, expanding the required screening panel to include hepatitis C alongside existing tests for syphilis, rubella, and hepatitis B. The changes take effect July 1, 2025, and align hepatitis C testing protocols with existing disease reporting requirements for maternal health.

Topics ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareExpands mandatory prenatal screening to include hepatitis C antibody testing, enabling early detection and treatment, strengthening public health prevention efforts for pregnant women.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Public Health Women's Health

in committee · Tennessee · House Mar 28, 2025

HB 111: Public Health - As enacted, adds as a disease for which a laboratory must test during a standard serological test of a pregnant woman hepatitis C antibody (anti-HCV) with automatic reflex to HCV RNA if anti-HCV is reactive, and makes certain other changes to the process of conducting required pregnancy serological tests. - Amends TCA Section 68-5-602.

HB 111 amends Tennessee's maternal health screening law to require standard blood tests during pregnancy to include hepatitis C antibody (anti-HCV) testing, with automatic follow-up testing for HCV RNA if the antibody test is reactive. This directly affects all pregnant women in Tennessee receiving routine prenatal care, as it adds hepatitis C screening to the existing mandatory tests for syphilis, rubella, and hepatitis B. The key provision mandates that laboratories performing these standard serological tests must automatically conduct the HCV RNA test when anti-HCV is positive, streamlining the detection of active hepatitis C infection. The bill aims to improve early identification of hepatitis C in pregnant individuals to support timely treatment and maternal health outcomes.

Topics ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareAdds mandatory hepatitis C screening during pregnancy, expanding maternal health prevention measures to improve early detection and treatment of a critical public health concern.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Public Health Women's Health

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in committee · Tennessee · Senate Mar 11, 2025

SB 584: Health, Dept. of - As introduced, authorizes the commissioner to develop and maintain an essential buffer stock of necessary medicines and healthcare supplies to be distributed during a natural or man-made disaster, mass casualty event, or public health emergency. - Amends TCA Title 4; Title 53; Title 58; Title 63; Title 68 and Title 71.

SB 584 requires Tennessee's Commissioner of Health to establish and maintain a statewide stockpile of essential medicines, vaccines, and medical supplies for use during natural disasters, public health emergencies, or mass casualty events. The bill directs the Department of Health to collaborate with emergency management officials to plan supply needs - prioritizing rural and medically underserved areas - and develop distribution guidelines for healthcare providers, facilities, and state disaster organizations. It allows the state to contract with private vendors to manage a "virtually sequestered buffer stock" to prevent expiration and ensure rapid access during crises. This policy aims to strengthen emergency preparedness by creating a coordinated system for distributing critical health resources.

Topics ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareAuthorizes statewide stockpile of medicines/supplies for public health emergencies, strengthening emergency preparedness and access to care during crises.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Public Health

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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

Sub-Topics Public Health

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failed · Tennessee · Senate Mar 11, 2025

SB 1010: Birth Control - As introduced, enacts the "Tennessee Contraceptive Freedom Act." - Amends TCA Title 4; Title 8; Title 53; Title 56; Title 63; Title 68 and Title 71.

SB 1010, the "Tennessee Contraceptive Freedom Act," establishes a fundamental right for all Tennesseans to access contraception without discrimination. It requires healthcare providers to either provide contraceptive services or refer patients to providers who do, while prohibiting restrictions that single out contraceptive care or impede access. The bill explicitly defines contraception as distinct from abortion and emphasizes equal access regardless of race, gender, income, or other factors, particularly protecting historically marginalized groups. It applies to all healthcare providers, health insurance carriers, and public health agencies across Tennessee.

Topics ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareEstablishes right to contraception access, mandates provider referrals, prohibits discriminatory restrictions - directly improves patient access to healthcare services95% confidence

Sub-Topics Insurance Public Health Women's Health

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