Healthcare

in committee · Tennessee · House Apr 15, 2026

HJR 28: Constitutional Amendments - Proposes an amendment to Article I of the Constitution of Tennessee to grant a person the right to forgo medical treatment. -

This resolution proposes a constitutional amendment to Tennessee's Constitution, granting individuals the right to refuse any medical treatment - including procedures, medications, vaccinations, or other interventions - without being forced to undergo it, even during a state emergency. It would directly affect all Tennesseans by establishing a new constitutional right to medical autonomy. The amendment requires the Tennessee General Assembly to create laws implementing this right, though it does not specify how such laws would operate.

Topics ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareEstablishes constitutional right to refuse treatment, protecting patient autonomy in healthcare decisions as a core patient right indicator.95% confidence

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in committee · Tennessee · Senate Apr 28, 2025

SB 436: Drugs, Prescription - As enacted, adds mandating the use of biosimilar drugs as a cost-saving measure the bureau of TennCare may implement; adds that a health carrier, health benefit plan, or utilization review organization may require a patient to try a biosimilar product prior to providing coverage for the equivalent branded prescription drug; requires the TennCare pharmacy advisory committee to consider as a factor the use of biosimilar drugs in the committee's recommendation to the bureau of TennCare on any drugs to be added to the state preferred drug list. - Amends TCA Title 4; Title 53; Title 56; Title 68 and Title 71.

SB 436 requires Tennessee's Medicaid program (TennCare) to consider using biosimilar drugs - cost-saving, FDA-approved versions of biologic medications - as part of its drug coverage strategy. It also allows health insurers to require patients to try a biosimilar before covering a branded drug, and directs the state's pharmacy advisory committee to factor biosimilar use into recommendations for the state drug formulary. The bill amends multiple Tennessee Code sections governing drug coverage, pharmacy practices, and formulary decisions. These changes aim to reduce prescription drug costs by expanding the use of biosimilars while maintaining FDA safety and efficacy standards. The bill directly affects TennCare patients, health insurers, and the state's drug formulary decision-making process.

Topics ✗ HealthcareOpposes HealthcareBill requires patients to try biosimilar before branded drug coverage, restricting immediate access to branded drugs and limiting patient choice in treatment options.90% confidence

Sub-Topics Medicaid Prescription Drugs

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in committee · Tennessee · House Feb 12, 2025

HB 464: Drugs, Synthetic or Analogue - As introduced, removes the limitation that a person who is experiencing a drug overdose only has immunity from being arrested, charged, or prosecuted on the first drug overdose. - Amends TCA Title 50; Title 53; Title 63 and Title 68.

HB 464 removes a restriction in Tennessee law that previously limited legal immunity from arrest or prosecution for drug overdose to only the first overdose. The bill amends Tennessee Code Sections 63-1-156 and related provisions to ensure immunity applies to all subsequent overdoses when seeking help. This directly affects individuals experiencing drug overdoses who contact emergency services, as they will no longer face legal consequences for prior overdoses. The key change eliminates the "first overdose" limitation, providing consistent legal protection regardless of how many overdoses occur. The bill takes effect July 1, 2025.

Topics ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeRemoves legal barriers for overdose victims seeking help, expanding immunity to all overdoses to encourage emergency assistance without fear of prosecution.95% confidence ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareRemoves legal barriers preventing overdose victims from seeking emergency help, directly improving access to healthcare services and protecting patient rights during medical crises.92% confidence

Sub-Topics Drug Policy Substance Abuse

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failed · Tennessee · Senate Mar 18, 2025

SB 403: Consumer Protection - As introduced, requires a healthcare facility that accepts public funds as compensation for losses due to providing uncompensated care to ensure that an amount of outstanding patient debt equal to the amount of public funds accepted is designated as satisfied and that patient is notified of such satisfied debt; prohibits the healthcare facility from seeking a judgment or taking other legal action to collect from the debtor any portion of such debt that is so designated; requires the department of health and division of TennCare to submit an annual report on uncompensated care payments to hospitals. - Amends TCA Title 9, Chapter 8; Title 16; Title 18; Title 20; Title 21; Title 27; Title 28; Title 29; Title 33; Title 45; Title 47; Title 63; Title 68 and Title 71.

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.

Topics ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareCancels patient debt for uncompensated care covered by public funds, prevents legal action for canceled debt, and improves access to healthcare services.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Medicaid

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in committee · Tennessee · Senate Apr 20, 2026

SB 334: TennCare - As introduced, enacts the "Tennessee Medicaid Modernization and Access Act of 2025," which aligns TennCare's current Medicaid reimbursement rates for obstetrics/gynecology, primary care, outpatient mental health, and substance use disorder treatment with the Medicare fee schedule or average commercial rates, whichever is higher. - Amends TCA Title 63; Title 68 and Title 71.

SB 334, the "Tennessee Medicaid Modernization and Access Act of 2025," requires TennCare to update reimbursement rates for key healthcare services - including obstetrics/gynecology, primary care, outpatient mental health, and substance use disorder treatment - to match either the Medicare fee schedule or average commercial rates (whichever is higher) starting in 2025. This directly affects Medicaid beneficiaries (by improving access to these services) and healthcare providers (by ensuring fairer payments). The bill mandates annual rate reviews to maintain alignment with federal guidelines and allows providers to request administrative hearings for payment disputes. It also includes provisions for quality-based incentive payments in underserved areas and requires annual reports on fiscal impacts and service access improvements.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesIncreases state Medicaid spending by requiring higher reimbursement rates for essential healthcare services, directly funding public health programs.90% confidence ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareUpdates TennCare reimbursement rates to Medicare/commercial levels for mental health, OB/GYN, primary care, and substance use services, improving provider access and patient coverage.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Fees & Licensing Medicaid Medicare Primary Care

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signed · Tennessee · House Apr 1, 2025

HJR 80: Naming and Designating - Designates May 2025 as "National Hypertension Month" and advocates for greater access to innovative therapies. -

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.

Topics ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareAdvocates for improved access to hypertension therapies and coverage support, aligning with healthcare access indicators without legal mandates.90% confidence

in committee · Tennessee · House Feb 25, 2025

HB 1375: Mental Health & Substance Abuse Services, Dept. of - As introduced, enacts the "Tennessee Mental Health Volunteer Alliance Act." - Amends TCA Title 33; Title 49; Title 63 and Title 68.

HB 1375 creates the "Tennessee Mental Health Volunteer Alliance," a statewide database of licensed mental health professionals who can volunteer to provide immediate mental health support at schools or public facilities following traumatic events like gun violence or disasters. Schools and public facilities can request specific mental health professionals through this system, with services provided pro bono (no cost to the requesting entity). The state allocates $250,000 annually to cover database administration, travel expenses (using federal mileage rates), and lodging for on-site services, with unused funds transferred to the School Safety Fund. This bill directly affects schools, mental health professionals, and state agencies managing the database and safety funding.

Topics ✓ EducationSupports EducationCreates mental health support system for schools via state-funded database, enhancing student access to services during crises.85% confidence ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareCreates statewide mental health volunteer database with $250k state funding to expand immediate access to services post-trauma, directly strengthening mental health support systems.95% confidence

Sub-Topics School Safety Mental Health Substance Abuse

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in committee · Tennessee · House Feb 10, 2025

HB 828: Health, Dept. of - As introduced, directs the commissioner to conduct a study on creating new or streamlining existing pathways to careers as primary care providers in this state for individuals who have medical training as noncommissioned officers in the armed forces of the United States; requires the commissioner to conduct the study using existing department resources; requires the commissioner to deliver findings and recommendations from the study to the chief clerk of the senate, chief clerk of the house of representatives, and the legislative librarian no later than December 31, 2025. - Amends TCA Title 4; Title 33; Title 63 and Title 68.

HB 828 directs Tennessee's Health Commissioner to study how to simplify career pathways for military medics (non-commissioned officers with medical training) to become primary care providers like doctors, nurses, or physician assistants. The study will identify bureaucratic barriers in current licensing rules, determine which military training counts toward state requirements, and suggest recruitment strategies. It must be completed using existing department resources and reported to lawmakers by December 31, 2025. This bill does not change laws directly but aims to inform future policy based on the study's findings.

Topics ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareDirects study to streamline military medics' pathways to become licensed primary care providers, aiming to expand healthcare workforce and improve access to services.85% confidence ✓ VeteransSupports VeteransDirectly targets veterans (military medics) by studying career pathway simplification to become primary care providers, advancing veteran employment in healthcare.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Healthcare Workforce Primary Care

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signed · Tennessee · House Mar 3, 2026

HJR 91: General Assembly, Statement of Intent or Position - Expresses support for SREB Crisis Recovery Network. -

House Joint Resolution 91 is a symbolic resolution expressing the Tennessee General Assembly's support for the SREB Crisis Recovery Network. It directly supports Tennessee schools, districts, and postsecondary institutions by endorsing a regional network that provides long-term, specialized counseling services after crises like natural disasters, school shootings, or public emergencies. The resolution recognizes that schools often lack sustained mental health resources, especially in rural areas, and highlights the network’s role in deploying trained counselors to aid recovery for students, teachers, and communities over extended periods. This is a non-binding statement of support, not a law imposing new requirements.

Topics ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareBill explicitly endorses SREB Crisis Recovery Network providing mental health counseling after crises, directly supporting mental health services access for schools and rural communities.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Substance Abuse

signed · Tennessee · Senate Apr 29, 2025

SB 955: Health Care - As enacted, enacts the "Medical Ethics Defense Act." - Amends TCA Title 63.

SB 955, now known as the "Medical Ethics Defense Act," protects Tennessee healthcare providers from being forced to participate in or pay for medical procedures that conflict with their conscience. It defines "conscience" as sincerely held ethical, moral, or religious beliefs and prohibits discriminatory actions - like termination or penalties - against providers who refuse specific procedures based on those beliefs. The law also safeguards providers who report violations of this act, preventing retaliation for whistleblowing. This applies to healthcare professionals, institutions, and payers but excludes procedures governed by federal law (such as emergency care under EMTALA).

Topics ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareProtects healthcare providers' conscience rights, preventing penalties for refusing procedures conflicting with beliefs, aligning with 'protect' indicator under healthcare policy.95% confidence