HB 1201 creates a temporary "foreign training license" for internationally licensed physicians in Tennessee who meet specific criteria. It directly affects physicians trained outside the U.S. but holding valid licenses in their home countries, requiring them to provide proof of an AMA-approved medical education, an ECFMG certificate, three years of postgraduate training (or seven years of practice), and current good standing in their home licensing country. The license is tied to a specific Tennessee healthcare employer, requiring applicants to have a job offer from that provider and restricting practice to that employer unless the board is notified of a change. After two years of active practice in Tennessee under this license, physicians may qualify for a full, unrestricted medical license. The bill takes effect July 1, 2025.
HJR 80 designates May 2025 as "National Hypertension Month" in Tennessee. The resolution urges healthcare providers, insurers, and TennCare to promote hypertension awareness and support coverage for renal denervation therapies, which treat resistant hypertension. It advocates for policy changes to improve access to innovative treatments but does not create new legal requirements. As a symbolic resolution, it encourages state-level action without mandating specific outcomes.
HJR 69 is a non-binding resolution urging Tennessee to adopt a comprehensive plan to address chronic disease. It proposes four key areas: reforming food access (e.g., restricting junk food in SNAP benefits, increasing healthy food availability), integrating health education in schools, improving government health standards (like banning toxins and updating FDA processes), and requiring nutritious meals in state facilities. The resolution directs state officials to support these principles and participate in an annual "Make Tennessee Healthy" summit. It does not create new laws but calls for policy shifts to reduce preventable health issues affecting Tennesseans.
HB 383 requires Tennessee's health commissioner to add alpha-gal syndrome - a rare meat allergy triggered by tick bites - to the state's official list of reportable diseases by July 1, 2025. Healthcare providers must then report diagnosed cases to the Department of Health under existing rules. This bill directly affects medical professionals who will need to submit these reports and public health officials who will track the condition. The law amends Tennessee Code Titles 4, 63, and 68 to implement this change, effective March 26, 2025.
SB 282, the "Individualized Investigational Treatment Act," creates a legal framework for patients with life-threatening or severely debilitating illnesses to access personalized medical treatments (like gene therapies or vaccines tailored to their genetic profile) when standard FDA-approved options have been exhausted. It directly affects eligible patients (who must meet specific criteria including physician attestation and written informed consent) and eligible facilities (those complying with federal human subjects protections). Key provisions require detailed written consent covering all treatment options, risks, and financial liability, while clarifying that insurers, health plans, and providers are **not obligated** to cover these treatments or related costs (TCA §§ 63-6-1304(a)-(d)). The law takes effect July 1, 2025, and explicitly states that heirs cannot be held liable for unpaid treatment debts if a patient dies during treatment (TCA § 63-6-1305).
This bill adds hepatitis C antibody (anti-HCV) testing to the standard blood screening required for all pregnant women in Tennessee during initial prenatal visits and between weeks 28-32 of pregnancy. If the anti-HCV test is reactive, labs must automatically conduct a follow-up HCV RNA test without requiring additional orders. It directly affects all pregnant women receiving routine prenatal care in Tennessee, expanding the required screening panel to include hepatitis C alongside existing tests for syphilis, rubella, and hepatitis B. The changes take effect July 1, 2025, and align hepatitis C testing protocols with existing disease reporting requirements for maternal health.
SB 44 adds doula services to TennCare, Tennessee's Medicaid program, making coverage available for certified doulas who provide continuous emotional and physical support during labor, birth, and postpartum care. It directly affects low-income pregnant people in Tennessee who may now access doula support through TennCare. The bill requires the Department of Health to establish a certification verification process for doulas who complete approved training programs meeting specific standards, including knowledge of anatomy, support strategies, and community resources. This process will verify doulas' qualifications before they can provide services covered under TennCare.
HB 404 extends the professional music therapy advisory committee under Tennessee's psychology board until June 30, 2027. This bill updates Tennessee Code Sections 4-29-246 and 4-29-248 to formally maintain the committee's existence, preventing its automatic termination. The committee, which advises the Board of Examiners in Psychology on music therapy licensure, is directly affected by this extension. The change ensures continuity for this advisory body without altering any substantive licensing rules.
SB 403 requires Tennessee healthcare facilities receiving public funds (like Medicaid reimbursements) to cover uncompensated care costs to cancel debt equal to that funding for eligible patients. Facilities must notify patients whose debt is canceled and cannot pursue legal action for the canceled amount. The bill also mandates annual reports from the Department of Health and TennCare on uncompensated care payments to the legislature. It directly affects hospitals receiving public funds for charity care and patients with outstanding medical debt.
HB 1236, the "Tennessee Health SNAP Act," would require Tennessee's Department of Human Resources to seek a federal waiver from the USDA to prohibit SNAP (food stamp) benefits from being used to purchase candy and soft drinks. If approved, this restriction would directly affect SNAP recipients in Tennessee who currently use benefits for these items. The bill mandates that the waiver request include public health justification, a plan for retailer system updates, recipient education on healthy alternatives, and a tracking system for spending and health data. It also requires annual reports to state leaders on the waiver status and impact. The bill is pending Senate action and would take effect July 1, 2025, if enacted.
