Healthcare (Women's Health)

in committee · Tennessee · House Jan 28, 2025

HB 70: TennCare - As introduced, requires a TennCare health benefit plan renewed or issued on or after July 1, 2025, by a health insurance carrier to provide coverage and reimbursement for biomarker testing for preeclampsia in pregnant women. - Amends TCA Title 56; Title 63; Title 68 and Title 71.

HB 70 requires TennCare health benefit plans (renewed or issued on or after July 1, 2025) to cover and reimburse biomarker testing for preeclampsia in pregnant women. This directly affects pregnant women enrolled in Tennessee's Medicaid program (TennCare) and the health insurance carriers providing their coverage. The bill mandates that testing must be ordered by a physician, conducted by the prenatal care provider using FDA-approved methods, and follow clinical guidelines. It also allows TennCare to create rules and seek federal approval to ensure Medicaid coverage for this testing.

Topics ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareMandates TennCare coverage for preeclampsia biomarker testing, expanding access to critical prenatal care for pregnant women.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Insurance Medicaid Women's Health

Track

in committee · Tennessee · Senate Feb 12, 2025

SJR 52: General Assembly, Statement of Intent or Position - Reaffirms the General Assembly's intent to protect pregnant people, their friends, and their families. -

SJR 52 is a Senate Joint Resolution that formally reaffirms the Tennessee General Assembly's intent to prevent the criminalization of pregnancy outcomes. It states the legislature opposes using state laws to prosecute pregnant people, their friends, or family members for pregnancy loss, miscarriage, stillbirth, or abortion. The resolution highlights that Tennessee has the third-highest number of such criminal cases in the U.S. and notes that current laws disproportionately impact low-income residents and people of color. As a non-binding statement of legislative intent, it does not change existing laws but expresses the Assembly's position on this issue.

Topics ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeBill explicitly opposes criminalizing pregnancy outcomes, reducing unjust criminalization in the justice system per its stated intent.95% confidence ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcarePrevents criminalization of pregnancy outcomes, protecting patient access to healthcare without fear of prosecution for miscarriage or abortion.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Women's Health

Track

passed · Tennessee · House Mar 11, 2025

HB 27: Abortion - As introduced, enacts the "Reproductive Freedom Act." - Amends TCA Title 4; Title 5; Title 6; Title 7; Title 20; Title 29; Title 37; Title 39; Title 49; Title 53; Title 56; Title 63; Title 68 and Title 71.

HB 27, titled the "Reproductive Freedom Act," establishes a new legal framework protecting reproductive healthcare access in Tennessee. It defines "reproductive health care" to include abortion, contraception, prenatal care, and related services, and affirms individuals' fundamental rights to make decisions about their reproductive health without state interference. The bill requires health insurance plans to cover reproductive health care (Section 15) and repeals multiple existing state laws that restricted abortion access or imposed criminal penalties for reproductive care (Sections 2-22). This legislation directly affects all Tennesseans seeking reproductive healthcare by removing legal barriers and mandating coverage under state-regulated insurance plans.

Topics ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareRequires insurance coverage for reproductive health care (including abortion, contraception) and protects access without state interference, expanding coverage and protecting patient rights per bill summary.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Insurance Women's Health

Track

failed · Tennessee · House Mar 18, 2025

HB 14: Abortion - As introduced, clarifies that the term "abortion," as defined for the offense of criminal abortion, does not include the use of contraceptives, including any device, medication, biological product, or procedure that is generally intended for use in the prevention of pregnancy, whether specifically intended to prevent pregnancy or for other health needs, or the disposal of embryos resulting from fertility treatments, including healthcare services, procedures, testing, medications, treatments, or products. - Amends TCA Title 37; Title 39; Title 63 and Title 68.

HB 14 clarifies that Tennessee's definition of "abortion" does not include contraceptive use (such as birth control devices, medications, or procedures intended to prevent pregnancy) or the disposal of unimplanted embryos from fertility treatments (including related healthcare services and medications). The bill directly affects healthcare providers, patients, and fertility clinics by explicitly excluding these common medical practices from criminal abortion statutes. It amends Tennessee Code Sections 39-15-213 and related provisions to define these exclusions. The bill failed in the Health Committee's Population Health Subcommittee on March 18, 2025, and did not advance to the full legislature.

Topics ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareClarifies contraceptives and fertility treatments aren't criminalized, protecting patient access to common healthcare services without legal ambiguity.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Women's Health

Track

in committee · Tennessee · Senate Feb 12, 2025

SB 1189: Abortion - As introduced, deletes the offense of criminal abortion; allows for an abortion before viability of the fetus or when necessary to protect the life or health of the pregnant woman. - Amends TCA Title 39; Title 63 and Title 68.

SB 1189 removes criminal penalties for abortion in Tennessee and establishes two clear exceptions: abortions are permitted before fetal viability (determined by a physician's medical judgment) or when necessary to protect the pregnant person's life or health. The bill explicitly recognizes a fundamental right to reproductive health care, including abortion decisions, and states that a fertilized egg, embryo, or fetus has no legal rights under Tennessee law. It directly affects all pregnant people in Tennessee by expanding access to abortion care within these defined limits and prohibits state entities from restricting these rights. The law amends Tennessee Code Sections 39-15-213, 63, and 68 to implement these changes.

Topics ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareRemoves criminal barriers to abortion, expanding access to reproductive health care services and protecting patient rights per bill's explicit recognition of reproductive health care.90% confidence

Sub-Topics Women's Health

Track

in committee · Tennessee · Senate Jan 27, 2025

SB 187: Abortion - As introduced, enacts the "Reproductive Freedom Act." - Amends TCA Title 4; Title 5; Title 6; Title 7; Title 20; Title 29; Title 37; Title 39; Title 49; Title 53; Title 56; Title 63; Title 68 and Title 71.

SB 187, the "Reproductive Freedom Act," would establish new legal protections for abortion and reproductive healthcare in Tennessee. It defines "reproductive health care" broadly to include abortion, contraception, prenatal care, and fertility services, while affirming that pregnant people have fundamental rights to make decisions about their care without state interference. The bill deletes numerous existing restrictions across Tennessee law (including provisions in Titles 39, 49, and 53 that previously limited abortion access) and requires healthcare plans to cover reproductive health services. This legislation directly affects all Tennessee residents seeking or providing reproductive healthcare, particularly those needing abortion care or related services.

Topics ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareRemoves restrictions on abortion and defines reproductive healthcare broadly (including contraception, prenatal care), protecting patient access without state interference per bill's explicit language.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Women's Health

Track

signed · Tennessee · Senate Apr 29, 2025

SB 449: Health Care - As enacted, enacts the "Fertility Treatment and Contraceptive Protection Act." - Amends TCA Title 63 and Title 68.

SB 449, the "Fertility Treatment and Contraceptive Protection Act," establishes legal rights for individuals in Tennessee to access fertility treatments and contraception without state prohibition. It defines "fertility treatment" broadly to include procedures like in vitro fertilization, genetic testing of embryos, and medication for fertility, while defining "contraception" to cover methods such as birth control pills, emergency contraceptives, and sterilization. The law explicitly states that Tennessee law does not prohibit these activities, overriding conflicting state laws. This act takes effect on July 1, 2025, directly affecting all residents seeking these health services within the state.

Topics ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareBill enshrines legal access to fertility treatments and contraception, removing state barriers to expand healthcare access and protect patient rights under defined health services.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Women's Health

died · Tennessee · House Feb 3, 2025

HB 188: Physicians and Surgeons - As introduced, requires physicians who attend to a pregnant woman during gestation to take or cause to be taken a sample of blood to test for syphilis infection at the first examination and visit, sometime between the 28th and 32nd week of gestation, and at delivery; clarifies that the hepatitis B surface antigen test is a part of the standard serological test. - Amends TCA Title 8, Chapter 27; Title 56; Title 68 and Title 71.

HB 188 requires physicians and surgeons attending pregnant patients in Tennessee to conduct specific blood tests during pregnancy. It mandates syphilis testing at the first visit, between 28-32 weeks gestation, and at delivery, while clarifying that hepatitis B surface antigen (HBsAg) testing is part of standard prenatal care. All results must be reported to local health departments for communicable disease tracking. This directly affects all healthcare providers delivering prenatal care in the state and ensures consistent testing for two preventable infections during each pregnancy.

Topics ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareMandates syphilis/hepatitis B testing during pregnancy for public health tracking, strengthening disease prevention and reporting in prenatal care.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Public Health Women's Health

Track

in committee · Tennessee · House Apr 29, 2025

HB 533: Health Care - As enacted, enacts the "Fertility Treatment and Contraceptive Protection Act." - Amends TCA Title 63 and Title 68.

HB 533, now Public Chapter 247, establishes the "Fertility Treatment and Contraceptive Protection Act" in Tennessee. It defines fertility treatment (including IVF, egg/sperm preservation, and genetic testing) and contraception (covering all pregnancy prevention methods, including over-the-counter options) and explicitly states that Tennessee law does not prohibit these activities. The bill directly affects all Tennesseans seeking reproductive healthcare by guaranteeing the right to access fertility services and contraception without state interference. Key provisions clarify that the state cannot ban or restrict these services, overriding conflicting existing laws. This law took effect immediately upon becoming public on April 29, 2025.

Topics ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareGuarantees access to fertility treatments and contraception by removing legal prohibitions, protecting patient rights in reproductive healthcare.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Women's Health

Track

failed · Tennessee · House Mar 18, 2025

HB 1220: 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.

HB 1220, the "Tennessee Contraceptive Freedom Act," establishes a fundamental right for all individuals to make decisions about their reproductive health, including access to contraceptives and related information. It requires healthcare providers to either provide contraceptive services or refer patients to someone who can, and prohibits restrictions that single out contraceptive care or impede access. The bill defines "contraception" broadly (including emergency contraception and sterilization) and clarifies it is distinct from abortion. It applies directly to patients, healthcare providers, health insurance carriers, and public health agencies across Tennessee. The bill is currently pending, having failed in the Health Committee's Population Health Subcommittee on March 18, 2025.

Topics ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareEstablishes right to contraceptive access, mandates provider services, prohibits restrictions on reproductive health care95% confidence

Sub-Topics Insurance Public Health Women's Health

Track