Healthcare

signed · Tennessee · House May 8, 2025

HB 495: Hospitals and Health Care Facilities - As enacted, rewrites the fee limits for a party requesting a patient's medical record in either paper or electronic format from a provider or the provider's third-party release of information provider. - Amends TCA Title 63 and Title 68.

HB 495 sets maximum fees healthcare providers and third-party record release companies can charge when providing medical records to patients or other requesters. For paper copies, fees are capped at $25 for the first five pages, then 50 cents per page after that. For electronic copies, fees are limited to $5 for up to ten pages (25 cents per page after), with specific caps for radiology images and mailing costs. The bill requires providers to offer records electronically when available and prohibits third parties from exceeding these fee limits.

Topics ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareCapping medical record fees at $25 (paper) and $5 (electronic) improves patient access to health information, directly advancing healthcare access as defined by the topic.90% confidence

in committee · Tennessee · House Feb 10, 2025

HB 643: Dentists and Dentistry - As introduced, requires the commissioner of health to create programs designed to enhance access to dental services in rural and underserved areas subject to the approval of the commissioner of finance and administration. - Amends TCA Title 63, Chapter 5 and Title 68.

HB 643 requires Tennessee's Commissioner of Health to create programs improving dental access in rural and underserved areas, directly affecting residents in those communities. Key provisions include partnering with dental schools, upgrading clinics, offering provider incentives, supporting senior dental care, and using technology to expand services. All programs must first get approval from the Commissioner of Finance and Administration. The bill explicitly states it does not allocate funds - any spending would require separate legislative appropriations.

Topics ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareBill mandates programs to enhance dental access in underserved areas, directly improving patient access to health services without restrictions or defunding.95% confidence ✓ TechnologySupports TechnologyBill explicitly states using technology to expand dental services in underserved areas, promoting digital access for healthcare delivery.85% confidence

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in committee · Tennessee · House Apr 29, 2025

HB 1349: Drugs, Prescription - As enacted, requires a county medical examiner to test for, and obtain certain information concerning, the presence of any drugs in a decedent in certain situations; requires the health science center to conduct certain studies regarding drug interactions and submit quarterly reports to the general assembly. - Amends TCA Title 38; Title 53; Title 63 and Title 68.

HB 1349 requires county medical examiners to test decedents involved in mass shootings resulting in four or more deaths for psychotropic drugs (medications treating mental health conditions or affecting mood/behavior). It mandates that examiners share anonymized drug data - without identifying information - to the University of Tennessee Health Science Center and the Department of Health. The Health Science Center must study drug interactions and submit quarterly reports to legislative committees on this data. This bill directly affects medical examiners, health agencies, and the research conducted on drug-related incidents in Tennessee.

Topics ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareMandates study of psychotropic drug interactions to inform mental health policies, supporting data-driven healthcare improvements through research on drug effects.85% confidence

Sub-Topics Mental Health

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signed · Tennessee · Senate Apr 29, 2025

SB 1097: DUI Offenses - As enacted, requires the state treasurer to deem a person ordered by a court to use a functioning ignition interlock device to be indigent and unable to pay the costs of the device if the person receives funds from the supplemental nutrition assistance, temporary assistance for needy families, or state medicaid program; removes the requirement that a court determine whether a person asserting inability to pay for a functioning ignition interlock device is indigent; revises other provisions relative to the electronic monitoring indigency fund. - Amends TCA Section 55-10-419.

SB 1097 changes Tennessee law for DUI offenders required to use ignition interlock devices (IIDs) by automatically deeming individuals receiving SNAP, TANF, or state Medicaid benefits as unable to pay for the device, eliminating the need for a court hearing to determine indigency. Under this bill, eligible individuals must pay $30 monthly toward device costs, with the state covering the remainder up to $170 per month from the electronic monitoring indigency fund. The law updates reimbursement procedures for device providers, requiring them to submit claims with court orders and proof of the person's benefit eligibility. This applies specifically to those ordered to use a functioning IID for DUI offenses.

Topics ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeAutomatically deems SNAP/TANF/Medicaid recipients indigent for IID costs, removing court hearings and reducing financial barriers - aligns with criminal justice reform by protecting low-income defendants' rights and promoting fair compliance.85% confidence ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareUses Medicaid eligibility to waive IID costs, preventing financial barriers to healthcare access for beneficiaries.85% confidence

Sub-Topics Courts Medicaid

signed · Tennessee · Senate May 15, 2025

SB 644: Nurses, Nursing - As enacted, requires the board of nursing to permit a student to enroll in a practical nursing program offered by a public institution of higher education governed by the Tennessee board of regents if the student meets the qualifications for a high school diploma or its equivalent and meets other requirements; requires the board of nursing to permit a student enrolled in a practical nursing program to sit for the national council licensure exam for practical nurses (NCLEX-PN) upon completion of a practical nursing program. - Amends TCA Title 49 and Title 63.

SB 644 modifies Tennessee's nursing regulations to expand access to practical nursing programs at public colleges. It requires the Board of Nursing to allow students meeting high school diploma or equivalent qualifications to enroll in these programs and permits them to take the NCLEX-PN exam upon completion. The bill also mandates a minimum of 1,296 clock hours for practical nursing programs and requires public colleges to offer pre-nursing courses starting in high school. These changes directly affect prospective practical nurses and public institutions of higher education governed by the Tennessee Board of Regents.

Topics ✓ EducationSupports EducationExpands higher education access by requiring public colleges to admit students with high school diploma to nursing programs and mandates pre-nursing courses in high school, enhancing educational pathways.95% confidence ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareBill expands nursing program access and licensure requirements, directly increasing healthcare workforce capacity and improving patient access to nursing services.90% confidence

Sub-Topics K-12 Education Healthcare Workforce Medical Licensing

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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died · Tennessee · House Apr 8, 2025

HB 1000: TennCare - As enacted, makes revisions regarding determining when the annual coverage assessment is implemented and imposed; sets limits on the expenditures for directed payments to hospitals in certain circumstances. - Amends TCA Title 71, Chapter 5.

HB 1000 modifies Tennessee's TennCare program by shortening the deadline for implementing the annual coverage assessment from seven to five days. This change directly affects the TennCare program and hospitals receiving directed payments, as it streamlines the timeline for assessing coverage. The bill's key provision is the specific deadline adjustment in TCA Title 71, Chapter 5, Section 71-5-2005(d)(2)(D). The bill became law as Public Chapter 115 on April 8, 2025.

Topics ✗ HealthcareOpposes HealthcareBill sets limits on hospital payment expenditures under TennCare, restricting program funding and implementation timelines.85% confidence

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signed · Tennessee · House May 27, 2025

HB 641: Public Funds and Financing - As enacted, enacts the "Savannah Grace Copeland Act." - Amends TCA Title 9; Title 12; Title 37; Title 39 and Title 49.

HB 641, the "Savannah Grace Copeland Act," requires Tennessee to increase funding for child advocacy centers whenever state funding for child protective services grows. Specifically, it mandates that 75% of any increase in child protective services funding must be allocated to child advocacy center contracts starting July 2026. The bill sets specific base funding amounts: $127,855.98 for full centers and $85,000 per forensic interviewer. These centers, which serve over 32,000 children annually with services like forensic interviews and mental health support, directly benefit from this policy change. The law takes effect July 1, 2025, but requires separate annual appropriations to implement the funding adjustments.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesMandates 75% of increased child protective services funding be allocated to child advocacy centers, directly advancing public service funding under Budget & Taxes.95% confidence ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareBill mandates 75% of increased child protective services funding for child advocacy centers serving 32k+ children annually, which provide medical/mental health evaluations per TCA Title 37 (healthcare services).92% confidence

Sub-Topics Mental Health

in committee · Tennessee · Senate Apr 8, 2025

SB 1054: 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.

SB 1054 creates a temporary "foreign training license" for internationally trained physicians in Tennessee who meet specific criteria. To qualify, applicants must hold an AMA-approved medical degree (or board-approved equivalent), complete 3 years of postgraduate training in an approved country (or have 7 years of practice), maintain good standing in their home country's licensing system, and secure employment with a Tennessee healthcare provider. The license is tied to that specific employer and requires 2 years of active practice in Tennessee before transitioning to a full license. This bill directly affects internationally licensed doctors seeking to practice in Tennessee without U.S. medical training.

Topics ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareCreates temporary license for foreign-trained physicians, expanding healthcare workforce and improving patient access in Tennessee.90% confidence

Sub-Topics Healthcare Workforce Medical Licensing

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in committee · Tennessee · House Apr 8, 2025

HB 1319: Health Care - As enacted, extends the CoverKids program from June 30, 2025, to June 30, 2030. - Amends TCA Section 71-3-1113.

HB 1319 extends Tennessee's CoverKids program, which provides health insurance for children, by changing its expiration date from June 30, 2025, to June 30, 2030. It amends Tennessee Code Annotated Section 71-3-1113 to update this deadline. The bill directly affects low-income children and families enrolled in CoverKids, ensuring continued eligibility for coverage through 2030. This is a straightforward extension of an existing program, with no changes to eligibility criteria or funding structure. The bill became law on April 8, 2025.

Topics ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareExtends CoverKids program, ensuring continued health insurance coverage for low-income children through 2030 without eligibility or funding changes.92% confidence

Sub-Topics Insurance

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