Healthcare

signed · Tennessee · Senate Apr 13, 2026

SB 2358: Podiatrists - As enacted, changes the scope of practice of a podiatrist from a person who examines, diagnoses, or treats, in addition to the ailments of the human foot and ankle, the soft tissue of the lower leg distal to the tibial tuberosity, instead of the soft tissue structures extending no higher than the distal tibial metaphyseal flair. - Amends TCA Title 63.

SB 2358 amends Tennessee law to adjust the scope of practice for podiatrists by changing the anatomical boundary of the lower leg they can treat. The bill replaces the current limit - "soft tissue structures extending no higher than the distal tibial metaphyseal flair" - with "the soft tissue of the lower leg below the tibial tuberosity." This change directly affects podiatrists in Tennessee by expanding the area they are legally permitted to treat without additional authorization. The amendment updates Tennessee Code Annotated, Title 63, to reflect this adjustment in medical practice boundaries.

Topics ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareExpands podiatrist scope of practice, improving patient access to foot/ankle care without additional authorization, aligning with healthcare access enhancement.85% confidence

Sub-Topics Healthcare Workforce Medical Licensing

in committee · Tennessee · Senate Mar 24, 2026

SB 2373: Jails, Local Lock-ups - As introduced, specifies that a jailer's authorization to evaluate a person confined in the county jail for purposes of the person's care includes evaluating the person's need for medical attention. - Amends TCA Title 5; Title 6; Title 7; Title 8, Chapter 8; Title 29; Title 40 and Title 41.

SB 2373 amends Tennessee law to explicitly require county jailers to assess inmates' need for medical attention as part of their routine evaluations. This directly affects jailers and all individuals confined in county jails, ensuring medical needs are formally considered during care and classification. The key change modifies Tennessee Code Annotated § 41-4-103(b) to add "medical attention" to the list of purposes for which jailers may evaluate confined persons. The bill does not create new funding or penalties but clarifies existing authority to improve medical oversight in local detention facilities.

Topics ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeRequires jailers to formally assess medical needs for inmates, improving correctional care standards and aligning with criminal justice reform principles focused on humane treatment.95% confidence ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareMandates jailers to formally evaluate inmates' medical needs, ensuring healthcare access in correctional facilities per TCA §41-4-103(b).95% confidence

Sub-Topics Corrections

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in committee · Tennessee · House Mar 4, 2026

HB 2333: Pharmacy, Pharmacists - As introduced, prohibits a pharmacy benefits manager from certain listed actions, including modifying, restricting, or denying a medication ordered by a healthcare prescriber; requires that a request for a formulary exception or prior authorization be granted or denied by a pharmacy benefits manager within a specified amount of time or such request is deemed approved. - Amends TCA Title 53; Title 56; Title 63 and Title 71.

HB 2333 restricts pharmacy benefits managers (PBMs) in Tennessee by prohibiting them from modifying, restricting, or denying medications ordered by healthcare prescribers without proper process. It requires PBMs to respond to formulary exception or prior authorization requests within 24 hours for urgent cases or 72 hours otherwise, with requests deemed approved if unanswered. The bill also bans PBMs from retaliating against pharmacies or prescribers for exercising rights under the law and mandates annual reporting of response times and approval rates to state departments. This directly affects prescribers, pharmacies, and PBMs by protecting clinical decision-making and increasing transparency in medication access.

Topics ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareProhibits PBMs from denying prescriber-ordered meds without process, mandates timely responses, and protects patient access to medications.95% confidence ✓ Labor & EmploymentSupports Labor & EmploymentProhibits PBMs from retaliating against pharmacists/prescribers for exercising rights, directly protecting healthcare workers' rights under labor context.85% confidence

Sub-Topics Prescription Drugs

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in committee · Tennessee · Senate Mar 18, 2026

SB 2667: Health, Dept. of - As introduced, directs the department to submit a report on the feasibility of creating and implementing a graduate physician licensure program that would allow a person who has graduated from an allopathic medical school and passed the United States Medical Licensing Examination, but who has not completed an accredited postgraduate residency program, to provide medical services within a framework of a continuous collaboration and supervision agreement with a licensed physician to the chair of the health and welfare committee of the senate and the chair of the committee of the house of representatives having jurisdiction over health-related matters on or before January 1, 2027. - Amends TCA Title 63 and Title 68.

SB 2667 requires Tennessee's Department of Health to study whether to create a licensure program for physicians who have graduated from medical school, passed the U.S. Medical Licensing Exam (USMLE), but haven't completed residency training. The report, due by January 1, 2027, would examine if such physicians could practice medicine under a formal supervision agreement with a licensed doctor. This would directly affect medical graduates without residency who seek to provide care in Tennessee. The bill does not create the program but directs a feasibility study to inform future policy decisions.

Topics ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareBill studies feasibility of licensure for physicians without residency to practice under supervision, aiming to improve access to care by expanding provider availability in healthcare services.85% confidence

Sub-Topics Healthcare Workforce Medical Licensing

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in committee · Tennessee · Senate May 26, 2026

SB 2413: Health Care - As enacted, specifies that a good faith disclosure of information related to an activity of a quality improvement committee (QIC) made by a healthcare provider or healthcare organization to a patient or a family member of a patient is not a waiver of the privilege and confidentiality protections provider under current law if made in an open discussion; makes other related changes. - Amends TCA Title 68, Chapter 11.

SB 2413 protects patient privacy by clarifying that healthcare providers or organizations can share information about quality improvement committee (QIC) activities with patients or their families without losing legal confidentiality protections. It allows voluntary, open discussions after adverse healthcare incidents (like patient injuries or deaths) to focus on solutions and settlements, without admitting liability. These communications remain confidential, cannot be used in court, and must include warnings about legal rights. The bill ensures such disclosures are separate from QIC proceedings and shields providers from liability when discussions occur in good faith.

Topics ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareBill protects patient rights by ensuring healthcare providers can share quality improvement committee information with patients/families without losing confidentiality, preventing legal liability exposure during transparent discussions.95% confidence

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in committee · Tennessee · House Mar 4, 2026

HB 2331: Insurance, Health, Accident - As introduced, prohibits a pharmacy benefits manager from contracting with a state department, agency, or entity if the pharmacy benefits manager has been disciplined by the department of finance and administration or the department of commerce and insurance. - Amends TCA Title 4, Chapter 3; Title 8, Chapter 27; Title 56 and Title 71.

HB 2331 bars Tennessee state departments, agencies, or entities from contracting with pharmacy benefits managers (PBMs) that have been disciplined by the Department of Finance and Administration or Department of Commerce and Insurance. The bill directly affects PBMs facing disciplinary actions and state agencies seeking to hire them. Key provisions amend multiple Tennessee codes to require this prohibition for all state contracts, renewals, or amendments entered after July 1, 2026. This policy change aims to prevent state entities from working with PBMs that have violated regulations. The law applies broadly to all state agencies, not just Medicaid programs.

Topics ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareBars state contracts with disciplined PBMs, protecting public health programs from misconduct and ensuring better pharmacy benefit management.90% confidence

Sub-Topics Medicaid Prescription Drugs

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in committee · Tennessee · House May 18, 2026

HB 2145: Interstate Compacts - As enacted, enacts the "Respiratory Care Interstate Compact Act." - Amends TCA Title 4 and Title 63.

HB 2145, the "Respiratory Care Interstate Compact Act," would allow Tennessee to join a multi-state agreement enabling licensed respiratory therapists to practice more easily across participating states. The bill creates a "compact privilege" that lets therapists work in other member states without full re-licensing, while preserving each state's authority to protect public safety. It specifically aims to improve patient access to respiratory therapy, support military families relocating, and address workforce shortages. The compact applies to licensed therapists holding credentials from the National Board for Respiratory Care, with Tennessee becoming a member state once enacted. This bill is currently pending in the Health Committee as of March 2026.

Topics ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareEnables cross-state practice for respiratory therapists, improving patient access to respiratory care services without restricting coverage or funding.95% confidence

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in committee · Tennessee · Senate Mar 3, 2026

SB 2574: Pharmacy, Pharmacists - As introduced, prohibits a pharmacy benefits manager from certain listed actions, including modifying, restricting, or denying a medication ordered by a healthcare prescriber; requires that a request for a formulary exception or prior authorization be granted or denied by a pharmacy benefits manager within a specified amount of time or such request is deemed approved. - Amends TCA Title 53; Title 56; Title 63 and Title 71.

SB 2574 prohibits pharmacy benefits managers (PBMs) from altering, restricting, or denying medications ordered by healthcare prescribers without proper process. It requires PBMs to respond to special approval requests within 24 hours for urgent cases or 72 hours for others, with requests deemed approved if unresolved. The bill also bans PBMs from retaliating against pharmacies or prescribers for exercising their rights under the law and mandates annual reporting on approval rates, response times, and rebate arrangements to state departments. These provisions directly affect prescribers, pharmacies, and PBMs by strengthening prescriber authority and increasing transparency in medication access.

Topics ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareProhibits PBMs from denying/altering prescriber-ordered medications, mandates timely approval responses, and bans retaliation - directly improving patient access to prescribed treatments and protecting prescriber rights.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Prescription Drugs

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signed · Tennessee · Senate Apr 13, 2026

SB 2549: Opioids - As enacted, adds that a healthcare provider who subcontracts through the contracted healthcare vendor with the department of correction may prescribe a buprenorphine product for the treatment of opioid use disorder if other certain listed criteria are met. - Amends TCA Title 53 and Title 63.

SB 2549 allows healthcare providers who subcontract through contracted vendors with Tennessee's Department of Correction (or county/municipal jails) to prescribe buprenorphine for opioid use disorder treatment, provided specific criteria are met. The bill amends Tennessee Code Sections 53-11-311 and related provisions to enable this practice in correctional healthcare settings. It directly affects medical staff working within prison or jail healthcare systems by expanding their ability to use buprenorphine - a medication for opioid addiction - under defined conditions. The law would take effect upon enactment, modifying how opioid treatment is delivered in state correctional facilities.

Topics ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeBill enables buprenorphine treatment for opioid use disorder in correctional facilities, supporting rehabilitation and reducing recidivism through expanded medical care in prisons.90% confidence ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareExpands access to buprenorphine treatment for opioid use disorder in correctional facilities, improving patient access to evidence-based care.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Corrections Drug Policy Substance Abuse

in committee · Tennessee · Senate May 26, 2026

SB 2586: Health Care - As enacted, authorizes a physician to perform stem cell therapy or regenerative medicine therapy that is not approved by the United States food and drug administration if such therapy is used for a treatment or procedure that is within the scope of practice of the physician; makes related changes. - Amends TCA Title 63 and Title 68.

SB 2586 establishes new regulations for stem cell therapies in Tennessee, directly affecting physicians and facilities providing these treatments. It requires stem cells used in therapy to be retrieved, manufactured, and stored only in facilities registered with the FDA and accredited by specific organizations like the American Association of Tissue Banks. The bill mandates that physicians disclose in advertisements that the therapy is not FDA-approved and must use products meeting federal manufacturing standards. It explicitly excludes therapies using cells derived from fetuses or embryos after abortion. The law aims to ensure safety through facility accreditation, viability testing, and clear patient disclosures.

Topics ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareRequires FDA compliance and disclosure for stem cell therapies, protecting patients from unapproved treatments and ensuring safety standards in healthcare delivery.85% confidence

Sub-Topics Healthcare Workforce Medical Licensing Women's Health

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