Healthcare

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

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in committee · Tennessee · Senate Mar 25, 2025

SB 1372: Insurance, Health, Accident - As introduced, prohibits a health insurance entity or TennCare MCO from including an all-products clause in a network participation agreement with a healthcare provider, and makes certain other changes related to MCO network adequacy. - Amends TCA Title 56 and Title 71.

SB 1372 prohibits health insurers and TennCare managed care organizations (MCOs) from requiring healthcare providers (such as doctors, nurses, and physician assistants) to join multiple networks or offer services under different plans as a condition for participating in their provider networks. This "all-products clause" ban directly affects providers who previously faced pressure to accept bundled contracts. Violations carry a $10,000 civil penalty per occurrence, and the commissioner must create implementing rules by July 2026. The bill aims to improve provider network access, particularly in rural areas, by reducing restrictive contracting practices.

Topics ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareProhibits restrictive 'all-products clauses' forcing providers into multiple networks, improving provider access and network adequacy per bill summary.92% confidence

Sub-Topics Insurance

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in committee · Tennessee · House Jan 14, 2026

HB 1401: Budget Procedures - As introduced, authorizes grant payments under the grant assistance program for nursing home care to be made either monthly or quarterly. - Amends TCA Title 3; Title 4; Title 5; Title 6; Title 7; Title 8; Title 9; Title 10; Title 11; Title 12; Title 13; Title 16; Title 17; Title 18; Title 29; Title 33; Title 36; Title 37; Title 38; Title 39; Title 40; Title 41; Title 42; Title 43; Title 44; Title 45; Title 47; Title 48; Title 49; Title 50; Title 53; Title 54; Title 55; Title 56; Title 57; Title 58; Title 59; Title 60; Title 61; Title 62; Title 63; Title 64; Title 65; Title 66; Title 67; Title 68; Title 69; Title 70 and Title 71.

HB 1401 changes how nursing home care grant payments are distributed in Tennessee. It requires that payments under the grant assistance program be made either monthly or quarterly directly to nursing home residents (or their legally authorized representatives), rather than to the facilities. This ensures residents receive funds directly for their care, with payments specified as nonassignable and payable only to the individual. The bill amends multiple Tennessee Code sections to implement this change, effective July 1, 2025.

Topics ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareBill ensures nursing home grant funds go directly to residents (not facilities), protecting patient rights and improving access to care through nonassignable payments.90% confidence

Sub-Topics Long-Term Care

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in committee · Tennessee · Senate Mar 18, 2025

SB 552: Insurance, Health, Accident - As introduced, extends from 30 to 60 days the period of time following delivery of a medicare supplement policy or certificate during which an applicant may have the premium refunded, and about which each medicare supplement policy or certificate must have notice prominently printed on the first page of the policy or certificate. - Amends TCA Title 4, Chapter 3, Part 13; Title 8; Title 55, Chapter 12; Title 56 and Title 71.

SB 552 extends the refund period for Medicare supplement insurance policies in Tennessee from 30 to 60 days after policy delivery. It directly affects consumers purchasing these policies by giving them more time to cancel and receive a refund if they change their mind. The bill requires insurers to prominently display this 60-day window on the first page of every policy or certificate. This change applies to all new, renewed, or amended policies issued on or after January 1, 2026.

Topics ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareExtends Medicare supplement refund window from 30 to 60 days, enhancing consumer protection and choice in health insurance purchasing per bill's intent.85% confidence

Sub-Topics Insurance Medicare

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in committee · Tennessee · Senate Feb 12, 2025

SB 424: Pharmacy, Pharmacists - As introduced, permits the services authorized in a collaborative pharmacy practice agreement to include weight management services. - Amends TCA Title 63, Chapter 10 and Title 71, Chapter 5.

SB 424 would allow pharmacists in Tennessee to provide weight management services under existing collaborative agreements with doctors. This bill amends Tennessee laws (Title 63, Chapter 10 and Title 71, Chapter 5) to explicitly include weight management as an authorized service in these agreements. It directly affects pharmacists, enabling them to offer this support without needing separate physician authorization for each patient. The change takes effect upon becoming law, expanding patient access to weight management resources through pharmacy settings.

Topics ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareBill explicitly expands pharmacists' scope to include weight management services, improving patient access to healthcare without separate physician authorization, advancing healthcare access.90% confidence

Sub-Topics Prescription Drugs

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in committee · Tennessee · Senate Feb 12, 2025

SB 432: Health Care - As introduced, requires a healthcare provider to provide to a patient or a patient's authorized representative a copy of the patient's medical records within 20 working days of receipt of a written request by the patient or representative instead of 10 working days. - Amends TCA Title 63 and Title 68.

SB 432 amends Tennessee law to extend the timeframe healthcare providers must provide patient medical records from 10 to 20 working days after a written request from the patient or their authorized representative. This change directly affects patients seeking access to their own medical records and their designated representatives. The bill modifies Tennessee Code Annotated Sections 63-2-101(a)(1) and related provisions under Titles 63 and 68, which govern healthcare provider obligations. The key provision replaces "ten (10)" working days with "twenty (20)" working days in the existing legal requirement.

Topics ✗ HealthcareOpposes HealthcareBill extends medical record access timeframe from 10 to 20 days, limiting patient access speed. This restriction aligns with 'oppose' indicators for patient access.90% confidence

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failed · Tennessee · Senate Mar 18, 2026

SB 474: Medical Occupations - As introduced, prohibits a healthcare provider from inquiring as to a patient's ownership, possession of, or access to firearm ammunition or firearm accessories; subjects the healthcare provider to disciplinary action and a fine of $1,000 if the healthcare provider makes such inquires. - Amends TCA Title 63 and Title 68.

SB 474 prohibits Tennessee healthcare providers from asking patients about firearm ammunition ownership, possession, or access during medical visits. It also bans denying treatment or recording such information unless medically relevant, and requires written notice if an inquiry occurs. Violations carry a $1,000 fine per incident and potential disciplinary action from licensing authorities. The law directly affects most healthcare providers (excluding psychiatrists/psychologists) and protects patients' rights regarding firearm ownership during medical care.

Topics ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareProhibits healthcare providers from inquiring about firearm ownership, protecting patient privacy and rights during medical visits per healthcare service standards.85% confidence

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in committee · Tennessee · House Mar 10, 2026

HB 870: Insurance, Health, Accident - As introduced, prohibits an insurer, pharmacy benefits manager, or third-party administrator from changing or conditioning the terms of health plan coverage based on availability of financial or other product assistance for a prescription drug; establishes certain procedures for calculating an enrollee's contribution to an applicable cost sharing requirement. - Amends TCA Title 4; Title 8; Title 10; Title 53; Title 56; Title 63; Title 68 and Title 71.

HB 870 prohibits insurers, pharmacy benefits managers, and third-party administrators from altering health plan coverage terms based on whether a patient qualifies for financial or product assistance for prescription drugs. The bill requires insurers to calculate enrollees' out-of-pocket costs using standard methods, including amounts paid by others on the enrollee's behalf, and explicitly bans conditioning coverage on drug assistance availability. It directly affects health plan enrollees and the entities managing prescription drug benefits in Tennessee. The law applies to health plans entered into, amended, or renewed on or after January 1, 2026, and amends multiple sections of Tennessee's health insurance code.

Topics ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareProhibits insurers from altering coverage terms based on drug assistance availability, protecting patient access to medications and preventing coverage restrictions.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Insurance Prescription Drugs

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died · Tennessee · Senate Feb 4, 2025

SB 613: Expunction - As introduced, allows an eligible petitioner to have the records of a conviction for driving under the influence of an intoxicant expunged if the person has no other criminal convictions and 20 years have elapsed since the completion of the sentence imposed; requires the petitioner to pay an additional $50.00 fee to be used by the county for certain alcohol, drug, and mental health treatment purposes. - Amends TCA Title 40, Chapter 32 and Title 55, Chapter 10, Part 4.

SB 613, a proposed Tennessee bill, would have allowed individuals convicted of driving under the influence (DUI) to have their criminal records expunged after 20 years from completing their sentence, provided they had no other criminal convictions. It required petitioners to pay a $50 fee, with the funds directed to county alcohol, drug, and mental health treatment programs. The bill amended Tennessee expungement law (TCA Title 40, Chapter 32) to extend the waiting period for DUI convictions from 10 to 20 years and added the fee requirement. The bill was introduced on January 31, 2025, but was withdrawn on February 4, 2025, and did not become law.

Topics ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeBill enables expungement of DUI records after 20 years, reducing barriers to reintegration, and directs $50 fees to alcohol/drug treatment programs - core criminal justice reform elements.95% confidence ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareBill directs $50 expungement fees to county alcohol, drug, and mental health treatment programs, explicitly funding healthcare services.90% confidence

Sub-Topics Mental Health

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in committee · Tennessee · House Feb 12, 2025

HB 1387: TennCare - As introduced, requires, on and after July 1, 2026, a minor who is enrolled in TennCare medicaid or the CoverKids program to remain eligible for such program until the minor reaches 18; prohibits the division of TennCare from subjecting the minor to a redetermination of eligibility or disenrollment, except under certain circumstances; requires the director of TennCare to submit any necessary federal waiver request by December 31, 2025. - Amends TCA Title 71.

HB 1387 requires Tennessee's TennCare Medicaid and CoverKids programs to automatically renew coverage for enrolled minors until they turn 18, starting July 1, 2026. It prohibits the TennCare division from redetermining eligibility or disenrolling minors for routine reasons (like age) unless specific exceptions apply, such as income exceeding limits, fraud, or a parent/guardian requesting withdrawal. The bill also mandates that the TennCare director submit a federal waiver request by December 31, 2025, to implement this change under federal guidelines. This directly affects minors currently enrolled in these programs, ensuring continuous health coverage without automatic termination at age 18.

Topics ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareExtends TennCare/CoverKids coverage to minors until age 18 without routine disenrollment, ensuring continuous healthcare access and preventing coverage gaps for vulnerable youth.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Medicaid

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