Healthcare (Children's Health) in Tennessee

signed · Tennessee · House Apr 30, 2026

HJR 1386: Memorials, Recognition - LifeSpring Community Health, 20th anniversary -

This bill is a House Joint Resolution that formally honors LifeSpring Community Health in Chattanooga for its twentieth anniversary. It recognizes the organization's growth from a small after-school clinic in 2006 to a full-service provider offering pediatric, community health, and behavioral care to thousands of children. The resolution acknowledges the organization's specific contributions, such as expanding services during the pandemic and adding bilingual mental health support for families in underserved neighborhoods. As a commemorative measure, the bill does not alter any laws or policies but serves to publicly commend the healthcare provider's dedication to the community.

Topics ✓ Healthcare

Sub-Topics Children's Health Mental Health Primary Care

in committee · Tennessee · House Apr 15, 2026

HB 1534: Health, Dept. of - As introduced, authorizes the commissioner to utilize Title V funds, to the extent permitted by federal law, to establish a program to provide funds to women whose pregnancies have ended in stillbirth for the purposes of offsetting burial or disposition costs of the stillborn child's remains and educational scholarships for such women; authorizes the commissioner to seek any necessary federal waiver or authorization to create such program. - Amends TCA Title 49 and Title 68.

HB 1534 would allow Tennessee's Commissioner of Health to use federal Title V maternal and child health funds (with federal permission) to create a program for women who experience stillbirth. The program would cover burial or disposal costs for stillborn children and provide educational scholarships to these women. It specifically amends Tennessee law to authorize this use of funds and permits the commissioner to seek necessary federal waivers. The bill directly affects women who have lost a pregnancy to stillbirth in Tennessee.

Topics ✓ Healthcare

Sub-Topics Children's Health

in committee · Tennessee · Senate Apr 20, 2026

SB 1565: Health, Dept. of - As introduced, authorizes the commissioner to utilize Title V funds, to the extent permitted by federal law, to establish a program to provide funds to women whose pregnancies have ended in stillbirth for the purposes of offsetting burial or disposition costs of the stillborn child's remains and educational scholarships for such women; authorizes the commissioner to seek any necessary federal waiver or authorization to create such program. - Amends TCA Title 49 and Title 68.

SB 1565 would authorize Tennessee's Department of Health to use federal Title V maternal and child health funds (subject to federal approval) to create a program for women who experience stillbirth. The program would provide financial assistance to cover burial or disposition costs for stillborn children and fund educational scholarships for affected women. It requires the commissioner to seek any necessary federal waivers to implement the program. The bill amends Tennessee health codes to establish this support mechanism for women who have endured pregnancy loss.

Topics ✓ Healthcare

Sub-Topics Children's Health

in committee · Tennessee · Senate Apr 7, 2026

SB 1936: Disability and Aging, Dept. Of - As introduced, creates a licensure process for prescribed pediatric extended care programs; requires TennCare to submit a waiver to the federal centers for medicare and medicaid services seeking approval to provide coverage and benefits for those who receive services from a prescribed pediatric extended care program. - Amends TCA Title 52; Title 56 and Title 71.

SB 1936 creates a new licensing system for facilities providing nonresidential care to medically dependent children under 20 who require technology-based nursing care (e.g., ventilators or feeding tubes). These "prescribed pediatric extended care centers" must serve four or more unrelated minors and provide care for no more than 12 hours per day. The bill requires TennCare (Tennessee’s Medicaid program) to seek federal approval to cover services from these licensed centers. It defines key terms like "medically dependent minor" and sets requirements for facility licensing, including background checks and facility zoning compliance.

Topics ✓ Healthcare

Sub-Topics Children's Health Medicaid Medical Licensing Tags Licensing

in committee · Tennessee · House Apr 15, 2026

HB 1887: Disability and Aging, Dept. Of - As introduced, creates a licensure process for prescribed pediatric extended care programs; requires TennCare to submit a waiver to the federal centers for medicare and medicaid services seeking approval to provide coverage and benefits for those who receive services from a prescribed pediatric extended care program. - Amends TCA Title 52; Title 56 and Title 71.

HB 1887 creates a state licensure process for "prescribed pediatric extended care programs" (PPECs) in Tennessee, which provide nonresidential care to medically dependent or technologically dependent minors (under age 20) requiring ongoing, technology-based medical services (like ventilator support). The bill requires facilities operating these programs to obtain a license, limits care to 12 hours per day (not 24-hour care), and mandates that TennCare submit a federal Medicaid waiver request to cover services provided by licensed PPECs. It directly affects vulnerable minors with complex medical needs, their families, and PPEC operators seeking to provide these specialized services. The law amends Tennessee health, insurance, and social services codes to establish licensing standards, facility requirements, and oversight for these programs.

Topics ✓ Healthcare

Sub-Topics Children's Health Medicaid Medical Licensing Tags Licensing People with Disabilities

in committee · Tennessee · House Mar 4, 2025

HB 1156: Children - As introduced, deletes the responsibility of a parent or legal guardian to ensure that such person's child receives vaccines as recommended by guidelines of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention or the American Academy of Pediatrics. - Amends TCA Title 37.

HB 1156 would remove a Tennessee law requiring parents or legal guardians to ensure their children receive vaccines recommended by the CDC or AAP. This change directly affects parents and guardians in Tennessee who currently have this legal obligation under TCA Title 37. The bill specifically deletes Section 37-10-401(a) of the Tennessee Code but clarifies it won't impact existing school, daycare, or childcare immunization requirements. The legislation is currently pending in the Health Committee for further review.

Topics ✗ Healthcare

Sub-Topics Children's Health

in committee · Tennessee · Senate May 27, 2025

SB 1426: TennCare - As enacted, enacts "Lucca's Law," which addresses TennCare coverage of treatment for pediatric autoimmune neuropsychiatric disorders associated with streptococcal infections (PANDAS) and pediatric acute-onset neuropsychiatric syndrome (PANS). - Amends TCA Title 8; Title 56 and Title 71.

SB 1426, known as "Lucca's Law," requires TennCare managed care plans to cover medically necessary treatments for children diagnosed with PANDAS (pediatric autoimmune neuropsychiatric disorders associated with streptococcal infections) and PANS (pediatric acute-onset neuropsychiatric syndrome). It mandates coverage for antibiotics, behavioral therapies, immune-modulating drugs, plasma exchange, and IV immunoglobulin therapy, with no higher copays or deductibles than other similar treatments. The law also prohibits denying or delaying coverage based on prior treatment history or different diagnostic labels, and requires coverage to be provided without lifetime limits. This applies to all TennCare managed care organizations starting January 1, 2026, and specifies that PANDAS/PANS must be coded as autoimmune encephalitis until new medical codes are established.

Topics ✓ Healthcare

Sub-Topics Children's Health

signed · Tennessee · House May 27, 2025

HB 411: TennCare - As enacted, enacts "Lucca's Law," which addresses TennCare coverage of treatment for pediatric autoimmune neuropsychiatric disorders associated with streptococcal infections (PANDAS) and pediatric acute-onset neuropsychiatric syndrome (PANS). - Amends TCA Title 8; Title 56 and Title 71.

HB 411, known as "Lucca's Law," requires Tennessee's TennCare program to cover medically necessary treatments for children with PANDAS (pediatric autoimmune neuropsychiatric disorders associated with streptococcal infections) and PANS (pediatric acute-onset neuropsychiatric syndrome). It mandates that all TennCare-managed care organizations (MCOs) provide coverage for specific treatments - including antibiotics, behavioral therapy, immunomodulating medicines, plasma exchange, and IVIG therapy - without higher co-pays or delays, and prohibits denial based on prior treatment or diagnosis changes. The law also requires MCOs to use "autoimmune encephalitis" coding for billing until specific PANDAS/PANS codes are established. This directly affects pediatric patients with these conditions and their families, ensuring consistent access to covered care under TennCare.

Topics ✓ Healthcare

Sub-Topics Children's Health

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