Healthcare

in committee · Tennessee · Senate Mar 3, 2026

SB 2575: Insurance, Health, Accident - As introduced, prohibits an insurer from denying, conditioning the issuance or effectiveness of, or discriminating in the pricing of a medicare supplement policy if an applicant meets certain listed requirements, including a non-age eligible person who submits an application for enrollment in a medicare supplement policy with a different insurer within 60 days of such person's birthday and makes other related changes. - Amends TCA Title 56.

SB 2575 prohibits Tennessee insurers from denying, conditioning, or charging higher rates for Medicare supplement policies to people under 65 who qualify for Medicare due to disability or end-stage renal disease (called "non-age eligible persons"). It requires insurers to offer these policies with the same benefits and pricing as for those 65+ if applicants meet specific criteria, such as applying within 60 days of their birthday or enrolling in Medicare Part B by 2027. Insurers must use a weighted average premium rate (based on all Medicare supplement policyholders aged 65+) for these applicants and cannot impose waiting periods or exclusions for preexisting conditions. The law takes effect January 1, 2027, applying to new or renewed policies after that date.

Topics ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareProhibits insurers from denying or charging higher rates for Medicare supplements to non-age-eligible disabled/renal patients, ensuring equal access and pricing as 65+ group.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Insurance Medicare

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in committee · Tennessee · House May 5, 2026

HB 2337: Hospitals and Health Care Facilities - As enacted, requires the attorney general, in making a decision as to whether to object to a public benefit hospital conveyance transaction, to consider whether the proceeds will be controlled as funds independently of the acquiring or related entities; makes certain exemptions. - Amends TCA Title 48, Chapter 68 and Title 68, Chapter 11.

HB 2337 requires public benefit hospitals in Tennessee to provide written notice to the state attorney general and reporter at least 30 days before selling or transferring ownership of their facilities. This bill directly affects public benefit hospital entities and state oversight offices by adding a mandatory transparency step for such transactions. The key provision is the 30-day advance notice requirement, which must be submitted in writing. The bill amends Tennessee law to implement this notice period, without changing hospital ownership rules or financial obligations. (This is a procedural bill focused on disclosure timing.)

Topics ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareRequires transparency in hospital sales to prevent hidden transfers, ensuring public oversight of healthcare facility ownership changes.85% confidence

Sub-Topics Hospitals

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died · Tennessee · House Mar 24, 2026

HB 2459: Children - As introduced, exempts a school social worker, licensed by the state board of education, who provides preventative and developmental counseling, from having to obtain the consent of a parent of a minor prior to rendering such services. - Amends TCA Title 36, Chapter 8; Title 49 and Title 63, Chapter 1.

HB 2459 allows licensed school social workers in Tennessee to provide preventative and developmental counseling to minors without needing parental consent. The bill specifically exempts these professionals from requiring parental permission for such services, directly affecting minor students receiving counseling in schools and school social workers providing those services. It amends Tennessee Code Sections 63-1-176(c) and related chapters in Titles 36, 49, and 63 to remove the consent requirement. This change applies only to counseling focused on prevention and development, not clinical treatment. The bill aims to streamline access to early support services for students within school settings.

Topics ✓ EducationSupports EducationRemoves parental consent barrier for school counseling, expanding student access to mental health services in K-12 schools, a key educational support service.90% confidence ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareRemoves parental consent barrier for school-based mental health counseling, improving access to preventative mental health services for minors under healthcare topic.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Student Health

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failed · Tennessee · House Mar 4, 2026

HB 2088: Health Care - As introduced, exempts a nurse who provides home health services to four or less patients from hiring staff or maintaining an office in order to qualify for licensure as a home care organization by the health facilities commission; requires a nurse who does not hire staff or maintain an office to submit a request to the department of health for space at a location deemed appropriate by the department to securely store patient records. - Amends TCA Title 63 and Title 68.

HB 2088 allows nurses providing home health services to four or fewer patients to qualify for home care organization licensure without needing to hire staff or maintain an office. Instead, these nurses must request secure, department-approved space from the Tennessee Department of Health to store patient records. The bill specifically applies to licensed registered nurses, practical nurses, and certified nursing assistants working with limited patients. It amends Tennessee law (Titles 63 and 68) and takes effect July 1, 2026.

Topics ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareReduces regulatory barriers for home health nurses, allowing service to 4+ patients without office/staff requirements, improving access to care.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Healthcare Workforce Long-Term Care Medical Licensing

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in committee · Tennessee · Senate Apr 20, 2026

SB 2399: Health Care - As introduced, redefines a licensed professional counselor as a limited practice professional counselor; redefines a licensed professional counselor with a designation as a mental health service provider as a licensed professional counselor; terminates the issuance of limited practice professional counselor licenses on July 1, 2028. - Amends TCA Title 8; Title 33; Title 36; Title 49; Title 52; Title 56; Title 63 and Title 68.

SB 2399 redefines Tennessee's counseling licensure categories by creating a new "limited practice professional counselor" designation and eliminating the separate license for this category. The bill amends multiple Tennessee Code sections to update terminology, requiring all future applications for this specific license type to meet new standards (including coursework in mental disorder diagnosis and two years of supervised clinical experience). It terminates the issuance of "limited practice professional counselor" licenses effective July 1, 2028, and mandates that existing holders of this license must convert to a "licensed professional counselor" by that date. The bill directly affects counseling professionals seeking licensure or currently holding the limited practice designation under Tennessee law.

Topics ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareBill tightens counseling licensure standards with mandatory diagnosis coursework and supervision, improving mental health service quality per updated licensing requirements.92% confidence

Sub-Topics Medical Licensing Mental Health Tags Licensing

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in committee · Tennessee · Senate Feb 5, 2026

SB 2607: Autopsies - As introduced, requires a county medical examiner to report certain instances of the natural death of an infant or young person under 20 to the federal Sudden Unexpected Infant Death and Sudden Death in the Young Case Registry; requires the county medical examiner to review the deceased infant's or young person's immunization and medical records; authorizes civil penalties and license sanctions for violations. - Amends TCA Title 38; Title 63 and Title 68.

SB 2607 requires Tennessee county medical examiners to report sudden unexpected infant deaths (under 1 year) and sudden deaths in young people (under 20) to a federal CDC registry. Medical examiners must review the deceased child’s immunization and medical records during autopsies and document recent vaccinations. The bill imposes civil penalties of up to $5,000 for repeated failures to report cases and allows licensing boards to sanction medical examiners who repeatedly violate the requirement. It directly affects county medical examiners and healthcare providers involved in death investigations, aiming to improve data collection for public health research.

Topics ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareMandates reporting sudden infant/young deaths to CDC registry for public health surveillance, enhancing data collection to improve health outcomes and prevent future cases.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Public Health

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in committee · Tennessee · House May 18, 2026

HB 2571: Physicians and Surgeons - As enacted, requires the board of medical examiners to issue a provisional foreign training license of two years, which may be extended for an additional one year, to an internationally trained physician who has successfully completed the examination described in current law upon finding sufficient evidence that the internationally trained physician has met certain listed criteria; makes related changes. - Amends TCA Title 63.

HB 2571 creates a two-year provisional license for internationally trained physicians in Tennessee who pass required exams and meet specific criteria, including holding an ECFMG certificate and completing postgraduate training. The license requires employment at approved facilities like federally qualified health centers or rural clinics with onsite supervising physicians. After two years of satisfactory practice at these approved sites, physicians may qualify for a full medical license upon demonstrating competency and passing USMLE steps. This bill directly affects foreign-trained doctors seeking to practice in Tennessee while establishing clear pathways for supervised training and licensure.

Topics ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareEnables internationally trained physicians to practice in rural clinics and FQHCs, expanding access to healthcare services in underserved areas with specific licensing requirements.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Medical Licensing

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in committee · Tennessee · Senate Mar 17, 2026

SB 2460: Mental Health & Substance Abuse Services, Dept. of - As introduced, adds the legislative librarian to the list the department of mental health and substance abuse services must submit its quarterly report to on the implementation and impact of available suitable accommodations, including the number and length of any delayed admissions, in state owned or operated hospitals or treatment resources. - Amends TCA Title 4; Title 33; Title 52; Title 63 and Title 68.

SB 2460 requires Tennessee's Department of Mental Health and Substance Abuse Services to include the legislative librarian in its quarterly reports about mental health accommodations. These reports must detail the implementation and impact of available accommodations, including the number and duration of delayed admissions at state-run hospitals and treatment facilities. The bill amends specific sections of Tennessee law (Titles 33, 4, 52, 63, and 68) to update reporting requirements. It directly affects the department's reporting process and ensures the legislative librarian receives these reports.

Topics ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareMandates detailed reporting on mental health accommodations and admission delays, enhancing oversight and accountability in state mental health services.90% confidence

Sub-Topics Mental Health Substance Abuse

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in committee · Tennessee · Senate Mar 18, 2026

SB 2446: Massage Therapy - As introduced, enacts the "Interstate Massage Compact." - Amends TCA Title 4 and Title 63.

SB 2446 establishes Tennessee's participation in the "Interstate Massage Compact," creating a multistate licensing pathway for massage therapists. It directly affects licensed massage therapists seeking to practice in multiple participating states, while improving public access to services and safety. Key provisions include forming an interstate commission to manage licensing, share disciplinary information between states, and allow therapists to practice across state lines with a single license. The compact also specifically aims to support military members and spouses relocating, and requires therapists to maintain continuing competence. This bill does not replace existing state licensing but adds a new, streamlined option for cross-state practice.

Topics ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareEstablishes multistate licensing for massage therapists, improving public access to services and safety, directly advancing health service accessibility per bill summary.92% confidence

Tags Licensing

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in committee · Tennessee · House Mar 10, 2026

HB 2195: Safety - As introduced, requires an air medical communication specialist to be certified within six months of employment by certain listed certified flight programs. - Amends TCA Title 68, Chapter 140.

HB 2195 requires air medical communication specialists working for certain accredited flight programs in Tennessee to obtain certification within six months of starting their job. It directly affects specialists employed by flight programs accredited by the Commission on Accreditation of Medical Transport Systems (CAMTS) or affiliated with the International Association of Medical Transport Communication Specialists (IAMTCS). The bill specifies two acceptable certification pathways: CAMTS accreditation or IAMTCS membership. This policy change establishes a clear timeline for professional certification to ensure specialists meet standardized training requirements.

Topics ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareRequires certification for air medical specialists to ensure safety standards in emergency transport, strengthening healthcare service quality and patient safety protocols.95% confidence ✓ Labor & EmploymentSupports Labor & EmploymentMandates certification for air medical specialists to ensure workplace safety standards, directly improving occupational safety within Labor & Employment framework.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Professional Licensing

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