Healthcare

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 May 18, 2026

HB 819: Health Care - As enacted, revises law relative to the operation of acute care hospitals. - Amends TCA Title 4; Title 33; Title 68; Title 71 and Chapter 985 of the Public Acts of 2024.

HB 819 removes a regulatory requirement for acute care hospitals in Tennessee. It exempts these hospitals - defined as facilities treating patients with an average stay of 25 days or less - from needing state approval (a "certificate of need") to open or operate new facilities or expand services. The exemption takes effect on July 1, 2028, and applies to all acute care hospitals under Tennessee law. This change directly affects hospital operators by reducing one layer of state oversight for their facility planning.

Topics ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareRemoves regulatory barrier (certificate of need) for hospital expansion, enabling increased access to acute care services by reducing state oversight.85% confidence

Sub-Topics Hospitals

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failed · Tennessee · Senate Apr 24, 2026

SB 1389: TennCare - As introduced, prohibits a healthcare provider who participates in the TennCare or CoverKids programs from refusing to provide healthcare services to an enrollee based solely upon the enrollee’s refusal to obtain a vaccine or immunization; prohibits the bureau from reimbursing a healthcare provider in violation of such prohibition; requires the director to adopt rules. - Amends TCA Title 33; Title 56; Title 63; Title 68 and Title 71.

SB 1389 prohibits healthcare providers participating in Tennessee's TennCare or CoverKids programs from refusing to treat patients solely because they decline vaccines or immunizations. It requires the state to stop reimbursing providers who violate this rule and mandates the TennCare director to create implementing regulations. The law excludes oncology and organ transplant specialists from the prohibition. The bill takes effect July 1, 2025, with rules to be established under state administrative procedures.

Topics ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareProhibits denial of care based on vaccine refusal, enhancing patient access to TennCare services and protecting patient rights in healthcare delivery.95% confidence

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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

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introduced · Tennessee · House Feb 5, 2025

HB 516: Public Health - As introduced, adds the legislative librarian as a party to which the department of health must submit an annual report based on data received by a county or district health department that operates a needle and hypodermic syringe exchange program, including the number of people served, number of needles, syringes, and supplies dispensed and returned to the program, number of naloxone kits distributed, and the number and type of treatment referrals provided. - Amends TCA Title 4; Title 8; Title 14; Title 29; Title 33; Title 37; Title 39; Title 53; Title 56; Title 63; Title 68 and Title 71.

HB 516 requires the Tennessee Department of Health to include the legislative librarian as a recipient of annual reports from county or district health departments operating needle and syringe exchange programs. These reports must detail specific data, including the number of people served, needles/syringes dispensed and returned, naloxone kits distributed, and treatment referrals made. The bill amends multiple sections of Tennessee law (Titles 4, 8, 14, 29, 33, 37, 39, 53, 56, 63, 68, and 71) to add this reporting requirement. The change does not alter program operations or funding but expands transparency by directing this data to the legislative librarian.

Topics ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareMandates data reporting for needle exchange programs, enhancing transparency and oversight of public health initiatives.85% confidence

Sub-Topics Public Health

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in committee · Tennessee · House May 18, 2026

HB 853: Children - As enacted, clarifies that a child's parent, legal guardian, or legal custodian may, to the extent allowable by federal law, access and review all health and medical records of the child, including those records related to treatments available to unemancipated minors without parental consent; makes other related changes. - Amends TCA Title 33; Title 36; Title 37; Title 49; Title 63 and Title 68.

HB 853 clarifies that parents, legal guardians, or legal custodians of unemancipated minors can access all health and medical records, including those related to treatments provided without parental consent. The bill also permits school employees to provide basic first aid (bandages, gauze, or ice packs) for minor injuries like cuts, scrapes, bumps, or bruises without requiring parental permission. This legislation amends Tennessee Code sections in Titles 33, 36, 37, 49, 63, and 68 to update language on medical record access and school health procedures. The changes directly affect minors, their caregivers, and school staff by standardizing medical information access and allowing immediate minor injury care in schools.

Topics ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareClarifies parental access to minors' health records and permits school staff to provide basic first aid, improving access and transparency in pediatric healthcare services.92% confidence

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in committee · Tennessee · Senate Feb 12, 2025

SB 1248: Insurance, Health, Accident - As introduced, requires health insurance carriers to provide mental health coverage in parity with alcoholism and drug dependence coverage. - Amends TCA Title 4; Title 8; Title 33; Title 39; Title 49; Title 53; Title 56; Title 63; Title 68 and Title 71.

SB 1248 requires Tennessee health insurance carriers to provide equal coverage for mental health services as they do for alcoholism and drug dependence treatment. This bill amends Tennessee Code Annotated sections related to health insurance (including Title 56, Section 56-7-2360(c)) to mandate that coverage for mental health must be "to the same extent" as coverage for substance use disorders. It directly affects health insurance carriers and their plans, requiring them to ensure parity in benefits, reimbursement rates, and coverage criteria. The law takes effect July 1, 2025, applying to all new or renewed insurance policies after that date.

Topics ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareRequires mental health coverage parity with substance use disorder treatment, expanding access to mental health services under insurance plans per TCA amendments.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Insurance Mental Health

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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

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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

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failed · Tennessee · House Mar 5, 2025

HB 18: TennCare - As introduced, directs the bureau to establish a temporary TennCare benefits program to provide medical assistance on a temporary basis to certain individuals who do not qualify for enrollment in TennCare, CoverKids, or a successor program; requires the bureau to submit a waiver to the federal centers for medicare and medicaid services by December 31, 2025. - Amends TCA Title 71, Chapter 5.

HB 18 proposes a temporary health coverage program for Tennesseans who don't qualify for existing TennCare or CoverKids. It would provide up to 60 months of medical assistance (resetting at age 21) to individuals under 21 with income ≤138% of the federal poverty level, or adults ≥21 with similar income, subject to strict 12-month/24-month usage limits. The program requires a federal waiver by December 2025, uses 90% federal/10% state funding, and explicitly states it does not replace eligibility for regular programs (benefits pause if enrollment becomes possible). The bill failed in the Insurance Committee on March 5, 2025, and remains inactive.

Topics ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareCreates temporary coverage for ineligible low-income youth/adults, expands access via federal waiver, uses 90% federal funds to fill coverage gap for those excluded from TennCare/CoverKids.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Medicaid Medicare

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