Healthcare

in committee · Tennessee · House Mar 12, 2025

HB 223: Consumer Protection - As introduced, prohibits consumer reporting agencies from including on a consumer report a record of a medical debt judgment that is filed in this state. - Amends TCA Title 9, Chapter 8; Title 16; Title 18; Title 20; Title 21; Title 27; Title 28; Title 29; Title 45 and Title 47.

HB 223 prohibits consumer reporting agencies (like credit bureaus) from including medical debt judgments - court-ordered debts for healthcare costs - in consumers' credit reports starting July 1, 2025. It directly affects Tennessee residents with medical debt that resulted in a court judgment, preventing these judgments from negatively impacting their credit scores. The bill allows consumers to dispute any violations under federal Fair Credit Reporting Act rules and treats violations as unfair practices under Tennessee’s Consumer Protection Act, enabling enforcement by the Attorney General. This change aims to remove a specific barrier to credit rebuilding for individuals facing medical debt.

Topics ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcarePrevents medical debt judgments from harming credit scores, protecting patients from financial barriers to healthcare access and aligning with patient rights protections.95% confidence

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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

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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

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in committee · Tennessee · Senate Feb 12, 2025

SB 610: TennCare - As introduced, requires TennCare to provide eligible covered enrollees with continuous glucose monitoring; establishes criteria for eligibility. - Amends TCA Title 56 and Title 71.

SB 610 requires TennCare to cover continuous glucose monitors (CGMs) for eligible members with specific diabetes conditions. It directly affects TennCare enrollees diagnosed with Type 1 diabetes, gestational diabetes, or Type 2 diabetes meeting documented criteria like frequent low blood sugar episodes, high A1C levels, or hospitalizations related to diabetes complications. The bill mandates coverage only when prescribed by an endocrinologist or diabetes specialist confirming the member meets the eligibility requirements. The law takes effect January 1, 2026.

Topics ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareMandates TennCare coverage for CGMs for eligible diabetes patients, expanding access to essential medical devices per bill requirements.95% confidence

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signed · Tennessee · House Mar 23, 2026

HB 169: Insurance, Health, Accident - As enacted, expands the definition of a health benefit plan; requires a health benefit plan that amends, renews, or delivers a policy of coverage on or after January 1, 2026, and that provides coverage for prescription contraceptives, to provide coverage for a 12-month refill of contraceptives obtained at one time by an insured person. - Amends TCA Title 56 and Title 71.

HB 169 requires health benefit plans in Tennessee that cover prescription contraceptives to provide a 12-month refill option for insured individuals, starting January 1, 2026. This applies to all health insurance plans (including TennCare and CoverKids programs) that renew or issue coverage after that date, directly affecting people with such plans who use contraceptives. The bill amends Tennessee law to define "health benefit plan" broadly and specifies that contraceptive coverage must include this extended refill option. It does not change existing contraceptive coverage requirements but adds a specific provision for 12-month supplies. The effective date was updated from 2024 to 2026 in the bill.

Topics ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareMandates 12-month contraceptive refill coverage in health plans, expanding access to reproductive healthcare without requiring additional visits or prescriptions.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Insurance

in committee · Tennessee · House Apr 9, 2025

HB 195: TennCare - As introduced, establishes separate reimbursement rates for ground-based rural ambulance services and urban ambulance services provided to TennCare recipients; allows for certain rural ambulance service providers to receive emergency medical services equipment grants. - Amends TCA Title 71.

HB 195 establishes separate reimbursement rates for ambulance services under Tennessee's TennCare program. Urban ambulance providers will be reimbursed at 67.5% of Medicare rates, while rural ambulance providers will receive 100% of Medicare rates for services to TennCare recipients. The bill also authorizes emergency medical equipment grants for for-profit rural ambulance service providers. These changes directly affect ambulance companies operating in rural or urban areas that bill TennCare. The policy aims to address cost disparities between service areas while maintaining existing billing frameworks.

Topics ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareIncreases rural ambulance reimbursement to 100% Medicare rates (vs urban 67.5%) and provides equipment grants, enhancing access to emergency medical services for rural TennCare patients.92% confidence

Sub-Topics Medicare

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in committee · Tennessee · Senate Jan 27, 2025

SB 164: 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.

SB 164 creates a temporary healthcare program for low-income Tennesseans who don’t qualify for existing TennCare or CoverKids. It would provide medical assistance for up to 60 months total (with different limits for under-21 and 21+ individuals) to those with income at or below 138% of the federal poverty level. The program requires a federal waiver by December 2025, uses 90% federal and 10% state funding, and does not replace eligibility for existing programs. Enrollment would begin six months after federal approval, with benefits pausing if someone later qualifies for TennCare or CoverKids.

Topics ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareCreates temporary healthcare program expanding coverage for low-income Tennesseans excluded from existing TennCare/CoverKids, using federal funding to improve access without replacing current programs.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Medicaid Medicare

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in committee · Tennessee · Senate Apr 20, 2026

SB 210: TennCare - As introduced, establishes separate reimbursement rates for ground-based rural ambulance services and urban ambulance services provided to TennCare recipients; allows for certain rural ambulance service providers to receive emergency medical services equipment grants. - Amends TCA Title 71.

SB 210 establishes separate reimbursement rates for rural and urban ambulance services under Tennessee's TennCare program. Rural ambulance providers will receive 100% of Medicare's allowable charge for services to TennCare recipients, while urban providers receive 67.5%. The bill also authorizes emergency medical services equipment grants for for-profit rural ambulance providers. It defines "rural" and "urban" areas using federal standards (per 42 CFR 414.605) to determine service locations. This directly affects ambulance service providers operating in rural versus urban areas and ensures TennCare covers their services at these adjusted rates.

Topics ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareEstablishes higher reimbursement rates (100% vs 67.5%) and equipment grants for rural ambulance services under TennCare, directly increasing funding and access to emergency healthcare services in underserved areas.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Medicare

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failed · Tennessee · House Feb 17, 2026

HB 1101: TennCare - As introduced, authorizes the governor to expand medicaid pursuant to the federal Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act; authorizes the governor to negotiate with the federal centers for medicare and medicaid services to determine the terms of the expansion. - Amends TCA Title 71, Chapter 5.

HB 1101 authorizes Tennessee's governor to expand Medicaid eligibility under the federal Affordable Care Act, directly affecting low-income residents who currently lack coverage. The bill updates state law to allow the governor to negotiate terms with federal Medicare and Medicaid officials (CMS) for this expansion. Key provisions include removing existing barriers to Medicaid expansion and establishing the governor's authority to implement the program. This change would enable Tennessee to extend coverage to approximately 200,000 additional low-income adults, aligning with federal ACA requirements. The bill is pending in the Insurance Committee for further review.

Topics ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareBill explicitly authorizes Medicaid expansion under ACA, directly increasing health coverage for low-income residents by removing barriers and enabling governor negotiations with CMS.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Medicaid Medicare

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in committee · Tennessee · House Apr 15, 2026

HB 767: Taxes, Business - As introduced, exempts from business tax, receipts from the sale of a prescription drug or medicine with a cost for a 30-day equivalent supply that exceeds the medicare cost threshold for 2025 plan years and services necessary for proper preparation, storage, handling, administration, patient education, or post-sale monitoring of such exempted drugs or medicines. - Amends TCA Title 67, Chapter 4, Part 7.

HB 767 exempts from Tennessee business tax the sales of prescription drugs or medicines that exceed the Medicare Part D specialty tier cost threshold for 2025 plan years, as set by federal Medicare. It also exempts related services like preparation, storage, administration, patient education, and post-sale monitoring for these drugs. The bill directly affects pharmacies and healthcare providers selling high-cost prescription drugs that meet the Medicare threshold. This tax exemption takes effect July 1, 2025, and amends Tennessee tax code sections 67-4-708 and 67-4-712.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesExempts high-cost prescription drug sales from business tax, providing tax relief to pharmacies and healthcare providers selling drugs exceeding Medicare thresholds.95% confidence ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareExempts high-cost prescription drug sales from business tax, reducing pharmacy costs and improving access to Medicare Part D specialty medications for patients.85% confidence

Sub-Topics Business Taxes Sales Tax Tax Incentives Medicare Prescription Drugs

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