Healthcare

in committee · Tennessee · House Apr 9, 2025

HB 364: TennCare - As introduced, enacts "Emma's Bill," which requires that when making a determination of medical necessity, the bureau shall take into consideration the patient's overall condition and use such overall condition as a factor to determine the level of funding and what medical items and services the patient receives, even if such determination does not result in the least costly course of diagnosis or treatment. - Amends TCA Title 4 and Title 71.

HB 364 ("Emma's Bill") changes Tennessee's TennCare program to require health officials to consider a patient's overall medical condition - not just cost - when deciding what care is medically necessary. It directly affects TennCare patients (especially those with complex needs like mobility issues, cognitive challenges, or life-support equipment) and the Tennessee Department of Health (the "bureau" managing TennCare). The bill adds specific factors to review, including mobility, communication ability, need for constant nursing supervision, and reliance on ventilators or life-sustaining equipment, even if more expensive care is needed. This overrides the previous rule that required choosing the "least costly alternative" for all decisions. The law takes effect July 1, 2025.

Topics ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareMandates TennCare to consider patients' overall condition (not just cost) for medical necessity, prioritizing complex needs like mobility/cognitive challenges over cost-cutting.95% confidence

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in committee · Tennessee · Senate Mar 23, 2026

SB 291: Medical Occupations - As introduced, extends from 30 business days to 60 business days the period of time an individual, applicant, licensee, certificate holder, or registrant has to file a petition in Davidson County chancery court following receipt of a notice from a health-related licensing authority that the authority is denying an application for or refusing to renew a license, certificate, or registration on the basis of a prior criminal conviction. - Amends TCA Title 39; Title 40; Title 63 and Title 68.

SB 291 extends the deadline for healthcare license applicants or holders facing denial due to a prior criminal conviction to file a court challenge in Davidson County. It changes the timeframe from 30 to 60 business days after receiving a denial notice from a licensing authority. This procedural bill affects individuals seeking or renewing licenses in Tennessee’s healthcare professions (like nurses or doctors) who must challenge denials based on past criminal records. The change applies to cases filed in Davidson County chancery court under Tennessee law.

Topics ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeExtends deadline for challenging healthcare license denials based on prior criminal convictions, reducing barriers to professional reentry and aligning with criminal justice reform goals of reducing recidivism.80% confidence ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareExtends deadline for healthcare license challenges, improving access to medical professions by reducing procedural barriers for applicants with prior convictions.85% confidence

Sub-Topics Courts

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introduced · Tennessee · House Feb 12, 2025

HB 1208: 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.

HB 1208 amends Tennessee law to allow pharmacists to provide weight management services through existing collaborative practice agreements with physicians. This change directly affects pharmacists in Tennessee who operate under such agreements and patients seeking weight management support through pharmacy settings. The bill adds "weight management services" to the list of authorized services in these agreements under Tennessee Code Annotated Title 63, Chapter 10. It does not create new requirements but expands current practice options for pharmacists. The bill is currently pending amendment after initial introduction.

Topics ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareExpands patient access to weight management services via pharmacists under collaborative agreements, increasing healthcare service availability without restrictions.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Prescription Drugs

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in committee · Tennessee · Senate Apr 4, 2025

SB 321: Health Care - As enacted, creates the advisory task force on state reimbursement rates to make recommendations on annual adjustments to the reimbursement rates paid to agencies that perform healthcare functions and services, the purpose of which is to ensure such reimbursement rates are adequate. - Amends TCA Title 4; Title 62 and Title 63.

SB 321 creates an advisory task force to review and recommend annual adjustments to state reimbursement rates paid to healthcare providers under state contracts. The task force, composed of 6 appointed members (3 by each legislative chamber, representing health professions) plus agency representatives, will assess whether reimbursement rates cover agencies' costs, staff salaries, and administrative expenses for frontline healthcare workers. It must submit annual recommendations by August 1, starting in 2026, focusing on ensuring rates are adequate to support quality care for vulnerable populations. This bill directly affects state-contracted healthcare agencies and providers who serve Medicaid and other state-funded programs.

Topics ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareBill creates task force to ensure state reimbursement rates cover healthcare agencies' costs, staff salaries, and expenses, directly advancing provider funding adequacy.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Medicaid

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signed · Tennessee · House Apr 4, 2025

HB 498: Health Care - As enacted, creates the advisory task force on state reimbursement rates to make recommendations on annual adjustments to the reimbursement rates paid to agencies that perform healthcare functions and services, the purpose of which is to ensure such reimbursement rates are adequate. - Amends TCA Title 4; Title 62 and Title 63.

HB 498 creates an advisory task force to review and recommend annual adjustments to state reimbursement rates paid to healthcare agencies in Tennessee. The task force, composed of 6 appointed members (3 by each legislative chamber, representing different health professions) and ex-officio agency representatives, will focus on ensuring rates cover agency costs, staff salaries, and administrative needs. It must submit annual recommendations by August 1, starting in 2026, to state officials and legislative committees, considering factors like provider costs, staff compensation, and workforce shortages. The bill directly affects healthcare agencies providing state-funded services, aiming to make reimbursement rates more adequate without changing existing funding levels.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesCreates task force to ensure healthcare reimbursement rates cover agency costs, directly supporting adequate state budget allocation for healthcare services.90% confidence ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareCreates task force to recommend annual reimbursement rate adjustments ensuring healthcare agencies cover costs, staff salaries, and admin needs, advancing funding stability for providers.95% confidence

signed · Tennessee · House May 27, 2025

HB 979: Health Care - As enacted, establishes licensure of anesthesiologist assistants; revises provisions authorizing hospitals to employ certain licensed physicians for certain medical services. - Amends TCA Title 47; Title 63 and Title 68.

HB 979 establishes a new licensure process for anesthesiologist assistants in Tennessee, directly affecting these healthcare professionals and hospitals that employ them. The bill amends Tennessee Code Sections 63-1-160(g) and related provisions in Titles 47, 63, and 68, removing restrictions that previously limited hospitals from employing certain licensed physicians for specific medical services. This change updates hospital staffing rules to align with current healthcare practices. The law became effective on July 1, 2025, following the Governor's signature on May 21, 2025.

Topics ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareEstablishes licensure for anesthesiologist assistants and removes hospital employment restrictions, improving staffing flexibility and access to care per amended health codes.90% confidence

Sub-Topics Hospitals Medical Licensing

in committee · Tennessee · Senate Feb 3, 2025

SB 182: Health, Dept. of - As introduced, requires the department to submit a report to certain legislative committees concerning the practice of anesthesiology. - Amends TCA Title 4; Title 62; Title 63 and Title 68.

Tennessee Senate Bill 182 (SB 182) requires the Tennessee Department of Health to submit a report by January 1, 2026, to specific legislative committees about anesthesiology practice in the state. The report must include data on current anesthesiologists, residency program participants, and graduates from anesthesiology programs, plus recommendations to increase their numbers. This bill directly affects the Department of Health, which must gather and submit this information, and the House Health committee and Senate Health and Welfare committee, which will receive the report. The legislation does not change existing laws but mandates a specific data collection and reporting process. (SB 182, enacted July 1, 2025)

Topics ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareRequires report to increase anesthesiologist numbers, directly improving specialty care access and workforce planning in healthcare services.90% confidence

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in committee · Tennessee · Senate Feb 12, 2025

SB 640: Right to Die - As introduced, creates a process whereby an adult suffering from a terminal disease may request medication for the purpose of ending the adult's life in a humane and dignified manner if certain requirements are met. - Amends TCA Title 32; Title 39; Title 56; Title 63 and Title 68.

SB 640 would allow capable, terminally ill adults in Tennessee (with an incurable disease expected to cause death within six months) to request medication to end their lives in a humane manner. To qualify, patients must receive counseling from a psychiatrist or psychologist, make an informed decision after learning about alternatives like hospice care, and submit a written request witnessed by two non-relatives with no financial stake in their estate. The bill requires confirmation from both an attending physician and a consulting physician that the patient meets all criteria, including being free from depression affecting judgment. This process would apply only to residents of Tennessee who voluntarily choose this option after meeting all specified safeguards.

Topics ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareBill enables terminally ill patients to access end-of-life care options, aligning with patient rights protection in healthcare services.92% confidence

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failed · Tennessee · House Mar 18, 2025

HB 1217: 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.

HB 1217 would repeal Tennessee's criminal abortion laws and establish a fundamental right to abortion before fetal viability (when a fetus can survive outside the womb) or when necessary to protect the pregnant person's life or health. The bill directly affects pregnant individuals in Tennessee by removing criminal penalties for abortions meeting these criteria and defining "reproductive health care" to include abortion services. Key provisions include banning state interference with these rights, defining "viability" based on a physician's medical judgment, and clarifying that a fetus has no legal rights under Tennessee law. The bill amends Tennessee Code Annotated Titles 39, 63, and 68 to implement these changes.

Topics ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeBill repeals criminal abortion laws, removing criminal penalties and protecting civil rights (reproductive rights), aligning with criminal justice reform indicators.90% confidence ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareRemoves criminal barriers to abortion, establishing a right to abortion before viability or to protect life/health, and defines it as part of reproductive health care. This improves access to a health service and protects patient rights.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Women's Health

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failed · Tennessee · House Mar 3, 2026

HB 179: Abortion - As introduced, specifies that the offense of criminal abortion does not include an abortion that was necessary due to a medical emergency affecting the physical or mental health of the pregnant person or performed on a patient whose pregnancy was the result of rape or incest. - Amends TCA Title 39, Chapter 15; Title 63 and Title 68.

HB 179 modifies Tennessee's criminal abortion law by adding exceptions that exempt certain abortions from criminal prosecution. It specifies that performing an abortion is not a crime if it is necessary to protect the pregnant person's physical or mental health, or if the pregnancy resulted from rape or incest (as defined in Tennessee law). The bill amends Title 39, Chapter 15 of Tennessee Code, reclassifying such abortions as non-criminal under these specific circumstances. This change takes effect July 1, 2025, directly affecting licensed physicians performing abortions and pregnant individuals in these defined situations.

Topics ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareExempts abortions necessary for physical/mental health, aligning with healthcare access protections per bill language.90% confidence

Sub-Topics Mental Health Women's Health

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