Healthcare

signed · Tennessee · House Apr 4, 2025

HB 1169: Children - As enacted, requires on or before June 30, 2026, and each June 30 thereafter, the council on children's mental health care to submit a report to certain officials regarding the status of the statewide system of care for children's mental health and the service delivery system and the status of children's mental health in this state. - Amends TCA Title 37, Chapter 3.

HB 1169 requires Tennessee's Council on Children's Mental Health to submit annual reports starting June 30, 2026, detailing the statewide mental health system for children. The reports must cover current services (including state/federal programs), gaps in care, and recommendations for better coordination between agencies. The council must gather input from relevant departments (mental health, education, health, etc.) to create a comprehensive overview. These reports will be shared with the governor, legislative leaders, and agency heads. The bill, effective March 28, 2025, updates existing law to ensure regular oversight of children's mental health services.

Topics ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareMandates annual reports to assess and improve children's mental health services, identifying gaps and recommending better coordination between agencies to strengthen the system.85% confidence

Sub-Topics Mental Health

introduced · Tennessee · House Feb 5, 2025

HB 511: Insurance, Health, Accident - As introduced, requires a healthcare provider, healthcare group, practice, or clinic, healthcare facility, or other entity to provide notice to each health insurance entity with which it is under contract as soon as practicable if the healthcare provider, healthcare group, practice, or clinic, healthcare facility, or other entity is the subject of a cyber-attack. - Amends TCA Title 33; Title 56; Title 63; Title 68, Chapter 11 and Title 71.

HB 511 requires healthcare providers, clinics, facilities, and other entities that contract with health insurance companies for patient care reimbursement to notify those insurers "as soon as practicable" if they experience a cyber-attack. This applies to all Tennessee entities billing insurers for healthcare services, directly affecting providers and insurers. The key provision mandates timely notification to help insurers protect patient data and manage claims during incidents. The bill amends Tennessee insurance and health codes (Titles 33, 56, 63, 68, and 71) to establish this requirement.

Topics ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareMandates cyber-attack notifications to protect patient data, aligning with patient data security and rights in healthcare systems.90% confidence ✓ TechnologySupports TechnologyMandates cyber-attack notification to protect patient data, enhancing healthcare cybersecurity protocols per bill's core requirement.85% confidence

Sub-Topics Insurance Primary Care

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failed · Tennessee · Senate Mar 11, 2025

SB 190: Employees, Employers - As introduced, requires an employer that terminates the employment of an employee who the employer knows to be pregnant and who is covered under an employer-sponsored health benefit plan to continue to provide coverage under the plan until the employee’s pregnancy ends. - Amends TCA Title 8, Chapter 27; Title 50; Title 56 and Title 71.

SB 190 requires employers to continue providing health insurance coverage under an employer-sponsored plan to employees terminated while pregnant, until the pregnancy ends. It directly affects pregnant employees covered by such plans who lose their jobs and employers offering those plans. Key provisions mandate employers to keep paying their share of premiums and prevent insurers from dropping coverage without written proof the pregnancy ended, while requiring employees to notify employers in writing within 30 days after pregnancy concludes. The law takes effect July 1, 2025.

Topics ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareMandates continued employer-sponsored health coverage for terminated pregnant employees until pregnancy ends, preventing loss of access to healthcare services and protecting patient rights during vulnerable period.95% confidence ✓ Labor & EmploymentSupports Labor & EmploymentPrevents loss of health coverage for pregnant employees terminated due to pregnancy, protecting a key benefit during a vulnerable period per bill's explicit mandate.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Insurance

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failed · Tennessee · House Feb 3, 2026

HB 1393: TennCare - As introduced, directs the governor to seek a new TennCare waiver within 180 days of the effective date of this act to provide medical assistance coverage for individuals whose gross annual income is equal to or less than 138 percent of the federal poverty level; clarifies that the amendment takes effect upon federal approval. - Amends TCA Title 71, Chapter 5.

HB 1393 requires Tennessee's governor to apply for a federal waiver within 180 days of the bill's effective date to expand TennCare coverage to low-income residents earning up to 138% of the federal poverty level. This would directly affect Tennesseans currently ineligible for Medicaid under existing income limits, potentially providing medical assistance to thousands. The bill amends state law to mandate this waiver application process, with coverage taking effect immediately upon federal approval. The legislation focuses on procedural changes to access federal Medicaid funding, not on altering current eligibility rules.

Topics ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareExpands TennCare coverage to 138% FPL, increasing Medicaid eligibility for low-income Tennesseans and directly advancing healthcare access under federal waiver approval.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Medicaid

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in committee · Tennessee · House Jan 28, 2025

HB 44: Drugs, Prescription - As introduced, allows a student to possess and self-administer rescue seizure medication at school or at a school-related activity or event. - Amends TCA Title 49, Chapter 50, Part 16.

HB 44 allows students with prescribed rescue seizure medication (like emergency seizure drugs) to possess and self-administer it at school or school events. It requires three specific authorizations: a parent/guardian written statement, a healthcare provider's written details about the medication, and a liability waiver signed by parents. The medication must stay in its original sealed package with pharmacy label intact, and schools must keep these documents on file. The bill takes effect July 1, 2025, and clarifies that schools aren't liable for standard use (except in cases of willful misconduct).

Topics ✓ EducationSupports EducationEnables students with seizure conditions to safely access emergency medication at school, supporting educational access and student well-being within school environments.85% confidence ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareEnables student access to emergency seizure medication at school with safeguards, improving patient access to critical healthcare services during school hours.90% confidence

Sub-Topics Prescription Drugs

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in committee · Tennessee · House Jan 14, 2026

HB 1102: Controlled Substances - As introduced, prohibits a healthcare facility from authorizing a licensed healthcare professional from performing a drug or alcohol test or screen on a patient who is pregnant, less than one year postpartum, or a newborn without written and oral consent; allows for a drug or alcohol test or screen to be performed without the consent of the patient in certain listed situations. - Amends TCA Title 33; Title 63 and Title 68.

HB 1102 requires healthcare facilities in Tennessee to obtain specific written and oral consent before performing drug or alcohol tests on pregnant patients, patients less than one year postpartum, or newborns. The consent must explain legal consequences, medical purpose, confidentiality, and be provided without coercion. Exceptions allow testing without consent only in medical emergencies where delaying treatment would endanger the patient or newborn. The bill also prohibits healthcare providers from refusing care due to a patient's refusal to test and ensures privacy protections extend to this patient group. It takes effect July 1, 2025.

Topics ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareRequires informed consent for drug/alcohol testing in sensitive healthcare scenarios, protecting patient autonomy and rights without restricting access or coverage.95% confidence

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in committee · Tennessee · Senate Feb 12, 2025

SB 1418: Mental Health & Substance Abuse Services, Dept. of - As introduced, enacts the "Tennessee Mental Health Volunteer Alliance Act." - Amends TCA Title 33; Title 49; Title 63 and Title 68.

SB 1418 establishes the "Tennessee Mental Health Volunteer Alliance Act," creating a statewide database of licensed mental health professionals who can volunteer to provide free counseling services at schools or public facilities within 24 hours after a traumatic event like a school shooting or disaster. The Department of Mental Health manages the database, verifies professional credentials, and coordinates volunteer requests submitted by school officials specifying their needs. The bill allocates $250,000 annually for database operations, travel reimbursement at federal rates, and unspent funds roll over to the School Safety Fund for purchasing safety equipment. This directly affects schools, students, and staff by enabling rapid mental health support after crises, while mental health professionals gain a structured pathway to volunteer.

Topics ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareCreates statewide database for mental health volunteers to provide free counseling post-crisis, improving access to mental health services per bill's core purpose.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Mental Health Substance Abuse

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in committee · Tennessee · Senate Apr 4, 2025

SB 267: Health Care - As enacted, clarifies that an additional license for a collection station is not required, without regard to where specimens are transported, as long as the medical laboratory owner of the licensed medical laboratory retains ownership of the medical laboratory and oversight of the collection station. - Amends TCA Title 68, Chapter 29.

SB 267 clarifies that medical laboratories operating collection stations in Tennessee do not need an additional license for those stations, regardless of where specimens are transported, provided the laboratory owner retains full ownership and oversight. This directly affects medical laboratories and their collection sites, eliminating redundant licensing requirements. The bill amends Tennessee Code Annotated § 68-29-122 to specify that only non-owner-operated collection stations require a separate license, while all stations must still follow board rules. The change takes effect July 1, 2025, streamlining operations for lab-owned collection points.

Topics ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareRemoves redundant licensing barriers for medical labs, improving operational efficiency and access to testing services without restricting care.85% confidence

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in committee · Tennessee · Senate Apr 20, 2026

SB 898: Women - As introduced, creates a pilot program to be administered by the bureau of TennCare to provide pregnant TennCare recipients improved maternal health care through remote patient monitoring for maternal hypertension and maternal diabetes. - Amends TCA Title 56; Title 63; Title 68 and Title 71.

SB 898 creates a pilot program to improve maternal health care for pregnant TennCare recipients diagnosed with hypertension or diabetes through remote patient monitoring. The program provides participants with devices to track blood pressure and glucose levels, transmitting data securely to healthcare providers for real-time monitoring and support during pregnancy and up to three months postpartum. Administered by the Bureau of TennCare, it requires at least 300 participants across multiple counties and mandates that a technology vendor (selected by the bureau) deliver devices, provide training, and coordinate with healthcare teams. The pilot must be operational within 180 days of contracting with a managed care organization and technology vendor.

Topics ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareCreates remote monitoring pilot for maternal hypertension/diabetes, expanding access to care for TennCare recipients through real-time health tracking and provider support.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Telehealth Women's Health

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in committee · Tennessee · House Feb 17, 2026

HB 1400: Mental Health & Substance Abuse Services, Dept. of - As introduced, directs the department to develop and implement a suicide prevention program; requires the department to submit a report to legislative committees with jurisdiction over health-related matters on this program and any suggestions from the department based upon the research conducted from the previous calendar year. - Amends TCA Title 33; Title 63 and Title 68.

HB 1400 directs Tennessee's Department of Mental Health to create and implement a suicide prevention program. The program must include community-based prevention efforts, support for individuals who have attempted suicide, research on suicide rates across diverse groups, strategies to reduce access to dangerous methods, and postvention support for affected families. The department must submit an annual report to health committees detailing the program's progress and research findings. This bill directly affects the Department of Mental Health and aims to improve statewide suicide prevention services through structured community partnerships and data-driven approaches.

Topics ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareDirects creation of suicide prevention program requiring community-based efforts, research, and annual reports to strengthen mental health services per bill's explicit language.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Mental Health Substance Abuse

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