Healthcare

in committee · Tennessee · House Apr 29, 2025

HB 243: Sunset Laws - As enacted, extends the department of mental health and substance abuse services to June 30, 2029. - Amends TCA Title 4, Chapter 29 and Title 4, Chapter 3.

HB 243 extends the legal existence of Tennessee's Department of Mental Health and Substance Abuse Services until June 30, 2029, preventing its automatic termination. The bill amends Tennessee Code Annotated sections 4-29-246 and 4-29-250 to remove the department's previous sunset date and formally define it within state law. This affects the department's ongoing operations and the Tennessee residents who rely on its services. The law became effective April 29, 2025, after passing through the legislature.

Topics ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareExtends mental health department's legal existence until 2029, preventing termination and ensuring continued access to mental health services for Tennessee residents.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Substance Abuse

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in committee · Tennessee · Senate May 27, 2025

SB 530: Military - As enacted, enacts the "Tennessee National Guard Servicemember's Medical Readiness Act." - Amends TCA Title 58, Chapter 1, Part 2.

This bill creates the "Tennessee National Guard Servicemember's Medical Readiness Act," establishing a state program to reimburse Tennessee National Guard members for certain health insurance premiums. It specifically covers premiums paid for TRICARE Reserve Select or TRICARE Dental coverage by eligible members who are Tennessee National Guard members and qualify for those programs. The military department will administer the program, with the adjutant general setting application rules, and it will not reimburse premiums already covered by federal government payments. The program requires separate annual appropriations by the legislature and takes effect on July 1, 2025.

Topics ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareReimburses National Guard members' TRICARE premiums, directly supporting insurance coverage access for a specific group under healthcare topic.85% confidence ✓ VeteransSupports VeteransReimburses TN National Guard members for TRICARE premiums, directly funding healthcare access for military personnel eligible for veteran benefits.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Insurance National Guard & Reserve

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in committee · Tennessee · House Apr 17, 2025

HB 813: Taxes, Sales - As introduced, exempts feminine hygiene products from sales tax on the annual sales tax holiday. - Amends TCA Title 67, Chapter 6.

HB 813 exempts feminine hygiene products like tampons, pads, and menstrual cups from sales tax during Tennessee's annual sales tax holiday. The bill adds these products to the state's list of tax-exempt items under Title 67, Chapter 6 of the Tennessee Code. It defines "feminine hygiene products" to include all items used for menstruation or genital-tract secretions, covering common products shoppers use. The change takes effect July 1, 2025, directly benefiting Tennessee residents who purchase these items during the tax holiday.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesExempts essential feminine hygiene products from sales tax, providing tax relief for lower-income residents during tax holiday, aligning with support indicators for tax relief on basic necessities.95% confidence ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareExempts feminine hygiene products (essential for menstrual health) from sales tax, improving affordability and access to a health necessity, aligning with public health access goals.90% confidence

Sub-Topics Sales Tax

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in committee · Tennessee · House May 15, 2025

HB 296: Insurance Companies, Agents, Brokers, Policies - As enacted, requires TACIR to conduct a study on the feasibility of implementing and potential effects of enacting the insurance coverage requirements proposed in Senate Bill 231 of the 114th General Assembly, as originally filed; requires TACIR to publish a report of its findings and recommendations. - Amends TCA Title 8; Title 56; Title 63; Title 68 and Title 71.

HB 296 requires Tennessee health insurance plans to cover speech therapy for stuttering without annual limits, prior authorization, or restrictions based on the type of stuttering. It applies to all health benefit plans that renew or issue policies on or after July 1, 2025, directly affecting insurance companies and policyholders seeking speech therapy services. The law mandates coverage for both habilitative and rehabilitative speech therapy services, including telehealth options, without visit limits or medical necessity requirements. This implementation follows requirements originally proposed in Senate Bill 231 of the 114th General Assembly.

Topics ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareMandates insurance coverage for speech therapy without limits/restrictions, expanding patient access to essential healthcare services for stuttering treatment.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Insurance Telehealth

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in committee · Tennessee · House May 15, 2025

HB 482: Firefighters - As enacted, adds prostate cancer, breast cancer, and pancreatic cancer to the list of cancers for which a presumption is created that certain conditions or impairments of full-time firefighters caused by prostate cancer, breast cancer, pancreatic cancer, or other listed cancers arose out of employment unless the contrary is shown by competent medical evidence. - Amends TCA Section 7-51-201.

HB 482 adds prostate cancer, breast cancer, and pancreatic cancer to the list of conditions for which Tennessee firefighters automatically qualify for compensation (a "presumption") if diagnosed, unless medical evidence proves the cancer existed before employment. It directly affects full-time Tennessee firefighters diagnosed with these cancers after July 1, 2025. The key provision requires firefighters seeking this presumption to obtain a cancer screening exam after July 1, 2025, showing no prior evidence of these cancers. This bill amends Tennessee Code Annotated § 7-51-201 to expand the presumption list and establish the pre-screening requirement.

Topics ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareExpands healthcare coverage for firefighters by creating a presumption for cancer compensation (prostate, breast, pancreatic) without requiring proof of work-related cause, reducing access barriers.95% confidence

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introduced · Tennessee · House Feb 12, 2025

HB 1347: Mental Health & Substance Abuse Services, Dept. of - As introduced, adds legislative librarian to the list the department of mental health and substance abuse services must submit its quarterly report to on the implementation and impact of available suitable accommodations, including the number and length of any delayed admissions, in state-owned or -operated hospitals or treatment resources. - Amends TCA Title 4; Title 16; Title 17; Title 18; Title 20; Title 21; Title 24; Title 29; Title 30; Title 32; Title 33; Title 34; Title 36; Title 37; Title 39; Title 40; Title 49; Title 63; Title 68 and Title 71.

HB 1347 requires Tennessee's Department of Mental Health and Substance Abuse Services to include the legislative librarian in its quarterly reports on accommodations in state hospitals and treatment facilities. The bill amends reporting requirements to add the legislative librarian as a recipient of these reports, which must detail delayed admissions and implementation impacts. This change directly affects the department (which must file the reports) and the legislative staff (who now receive these reports). The bill does not alter service delivery or funding but modifies the reporting structure for transparency.

Topics ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareMandates detailed reporting on mental health accommodations and delayed admissions, enhancing oversight to improve service transparency and patient access in state facilities.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Substance Abuse

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signed · Tennessee · House May 27, 2025

HB 858: Commerce and Insurance, Dept. of - As enacted, revises law relative to the treatment and coverage of treatment for stage 4 advanced metastatic cancer, blood cancer, metastatic blood cancer, and associated conditions; makes related changes. - Amends TCA Title 8; Title 56; Title 63; Title 68 and Title 71.

HB 858 requires Tennessee's insurance commissioner to study how easily patients and doctors can request exceptions to step therapy rules online. The study will assess whether insurers' processes are accessible without unnecessary barriers for those seeking coverage for cancer treatments. The commissioner must submit findings and recommendations by December 2025. This bill affects insurers and healthcare providers who handle step therapy requests but does not change current coverage requirements. It becomes effective January 1, 2026.

Topics ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareRequires study to assess accessibility of cancer treatment exceptions, aiming to reduce barriers for patients seeking coverage.85% confidence ✓ TechnologySupports TechnologyBill mandates study of online accessibility for insurance exception requests, promoting digital access in healthcare coverage processes.85% confidence

passed both · Tennessee · Senate Mar 24, 2025

SB 44: Health Care - As introduced, adds doula services performed by a person with a verification of certification to the list of services that may be provided as medical assistance under the TennCare program; directs the department of health to establish by rule a process for the verification of certification to a person who demonstrates that the person has completed a doula training program that meets certain requirements. - Amends TCA Title 63 and Title 71.

SB 44 adds doula services to TennCare, Tennessee's Medicaid program, making coverage available for certified doulas who provide continuous emotional and physical support during labor, birth, and postpartum care. It directly affects low-income pregnant people in Tennessee who may now access doula support through TennCare. The bill requires the Department of Health to establish a certification verification process for doulas who complete approved training programs meeting specific standards, including knowledge of anatomy, support strategies, and community resources. This process will verify doulas' qualifications before they can provide services covered under TennCare.

Topics ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareAdds doula services to TennCare Medicaid, expanding coverage for low-income pregnant people and requiring certification verification to improve access to maternal health support.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Medicaid

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in committee · Tennessee · Senate Apr 20, 2026

SB 706: TennCare - As introduced, enacts the "TennCare Network Reporting Reform Act." - Amends TCA Title 71.

SB 706, the "TennCare Network Reporting Reform Act," requires Tennessee's Medicaid program (TennCare) to publicly report specific data about service access starting in 2026. It directly affects TennCare beneficiaries, particularly those using disability waiver programs like CHOICES and Employment and Community First CHOICES, by making system performance data accessible. The bill mandates annual publication of metrics including appointment wait times, time between service approval and receipt, service utilization rates, and network adequacy data, broken down by service type, county, and demographics. This data must be published on TennCare's website in a downloadable CSV format for public transparency.

Topics ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareRequires public reporting of TennCare service access metrics (wait times, approval delays), improving transparency and accountability for beneficiaries in disability waiver programs.80% confidence

Sub-Topics Medicaid

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in committee · Tennessee · Senate Apr 20, 2026

SB 185: TennCare - As introduced, establishes TennCare minimum and maximum reimbursement rate levels for rural hospitals and requires that the reimbursement rate is based on the rural hospital's current federal fiscal year. - Amends TCA Title 63; Title 68 and Title 71, Chapter 5.

SB 185 establishes minimum (100%) and maximum (120%) reimbursement rates for rural hospitals providing routine inpatient services to TennCare enrollees. It directly affects rural hospitals defined as those with 49 or fewer beds located in non-urban census areas. The bill requires these rates to be based on each hospital's current Medicare reimbursement rates for the federal fiscal year, rather than a fixed formula. The legislation is pending review by the Senate Finance Committee and has not yet become law.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesSets minimum/maximum reimbursement rates for rural hospitals under TennCare, ensuring stable state funding for essential healthcare services through fiscal management.90% confidence ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareEstablishes minimum reimbursement rates (100%) for rural hospitals to ensure stable funding, maintaining healthcare access in underserved areas by tying rates to Medicare benchmarks.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Hospitals Medicare

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