Healthcare

in committee · Tennessee · Senate Jan 27, 2025

SB 194: Abortion - As introduced, enacts the "Unborn Child Protection Act of 2025." - Amends TCA Title 29; Title 39, Chapter 15, Part 2; Title 53; Title 63 and Title 68.

SB 194, the "Unborn Child Protection Act of 2025," bans the mailing or delivery of abortion-inducing drugs into Tennessee. It defines "abortion-inducing drugs" as medications intended to terminate a pregnancy (like mifepristone or misoprostol used for that purpose), excluding drugs like misoprostol prescribed for stomach ulcers. The bill creates strict civil liability, requiring anyone who mails/delivers such drugs into Tennessee and causes an unborn child's death to pay $5 million in damages. The law takes effect July 1, 2025, directly affecting drug distributors, pharmacies, and medical providers handling these medications.

Topics ✗ HealthcareOpposes HealthcareBill bans mailing/delivery of abortion-inducing drugs, restricting access to reproductive healthcare services directly related to healthcare topic.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Women's Health

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in committee · Tennessee · House Mar 5, 2025

HB 1241: Abortion - As introduced, defines the terms "serious risk of substantial and irreversible impairment of a major bodily function" and "lethal fetal anomaly"; specifies that a physician does not commit the offense of criminal abortion if, under certain circumstances, the physician performs or attempts to perform an abortion to address a lethal fetal anomaly or a premature delivery of an unborn child with a lethal fetal anomaly. - Amends TCA Title 4; Title 29; Title 33; Title 37; Title 39; Title 40; Title 53; Title 56; Title 62; Title 63; Title 68 and Title 71.

HB 1241 defines two medical scenarios where a physician performing an abortion is not considered to commit criminal abortion: (1) when preventing maternal death or a "serious risk of substantial and irreversible impairment of a major bodily function" (e.g., preeclampsia, but excluding mental health conditions), and (2) when addressing a "lethal fetal anomaly" (a condition diagnosed before 24 weeks that is incompatible with life outside the womb). For lethal fetal anomalies, the bill requires two physician concurrences in writing, documentation of perinatal care options offered to the patient, and specifies that abortions or premature deliveries must be performed to avoid fetal demise or maternal health risks. The law applies to licensed physicians in licensed facilities and amends multiple Tennessee Code sections related to women’s health.

Topics ✗ HealthcareOpposes HealthcareRestricts abortion access by limiting legal exceptions to specific medical scenarios, reducing patient access to reproductive healthcare services.90% confidence

Sub-Topics Mental Health Women's Health

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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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in committee · Tennessee · Senate Mar 25, 2025

SB 853: Hospitals and Health Care Facilities - As introduced, enacts the "Tennessee Healthcare Quality and Access Act of 2025." - Amends TCA Title 4; Title 34; Title 42; Title 56; Title 63; Title 68; Title 71 and Chapter 985 of the Public Acts of 2024.

SB 853 proposes to replace Tennessee's current certificate of need (CON) system with the "Tennessee Healthcare Quality and Access Act of 2025." It requires state approval (a certificate of need) before healthcare facilities can build new structures, increase bed counts (especially in nursing homes), or relocate, aiming to regulate facility expansion. The bill includes exemptions for relocations if at least 95% of current patients remain in the same zip codes, access for underserved communities isn't reduced, and commercial insurance doesn't increase disproportionately. This directly affects hospitals, nursing homes, and healthcare providers seeking major facility changes, with the Health Facilities Commission overseeing applications and enforcement.

Topics ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareBill replaces CON system with 'Quality and Access Act', aiming to improve facility expansion regulation for better access, especially in underserved areas.85% confidence

Sub-Topics Hospitals

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in committee · Tennessee · Senate Mar 17, 2026

SB 1354: 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.

SB 1354 directs Tennessee's Department of Mental Health to create and implement a suicide prevention program. The program must include community-based prevention, support for individuals who have attempted suicide, partnerships with local organizations, research on suicide rates across diverse groups, strategies to reduce access to lethal means, and postvention support for affected families. The department must annually report to health committees on the program's progress and research findings by January 1. This bill affects all Tennessee residents by requiring state-level action on suicide prevention services, with implementation beginning in 2025.

Topics ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareDirects creation of suicide prevention program requiring community services, research, and annual health committee reports, advancing mental health care access and funding.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Mental Health Substance Abuse

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