NASHVILLE, TENN. — Over 200 members of the Tennessee Medical Association (TMA) gathered at the State Legislature on Tuesday, March 3 to advocate for insurance and TennCare payment reform.

TMA’s “One Big Beautiful Insurance Bill” seeks to address problematic payment practices, and physician members showed up to champion the legislation at Doctors’ Day on the Hill. The bill, in addition to TMA’s TennCare reform legislation, was heard in the Senate Commerce and Labor Committee on Tuesday, with physicians in the room.

“Physician engagement is crucial when trying to pass such an important piece of Legislation,” said Julie Griffin, TMA’s Vice-President of Government Affairs. “Lawmakers need to see and hear how insurance companies are negatively affecting their constituents, including both physicians and patients. A strong showing of doctors on the Hill sends a message that changes must be made.”

The annual event, which brings together practicing and retired physicians, residents and students from multiple medical specialties and geographic locations throughout the state, serves to educate members of the Tennessee General Assembly on issues critical to patients and their physicians by protecting good healthcare policy through advocacy. Attendees monitored committee hearings and held individual and group meetings with over 70 legislative offices.

“This is one of the most effective ways for physicians to have a say in the future of health care in our state,” said Dr. John McCarley, TMA’s president. “So many of my colleagues don’t realize how much the decisions of our legislature impact the care we provide to our patients.”

TMA’s legislative efforts begin long before and continue long after Doctors’ Day on the Hill. As of March 2026, TMA has reviewed over 2,700 bills in the 114^th General Assembly session. The advocacy team is currently monitoring over 450 bills on a range of healthcare issues. Read more about TMA’s legislative priorities at tnmed.org/legislative.

The Tennessee Medical Association is a nonprofit professional organization for Tennessee physicians. TMA represents more than 10,000 Tennessee physicians and physicians-in-training. The organization advocates for public policies, laws and rules that promote healthcare safety and quality for all Tennesseans and improve the nonclinical aspects of practicing medicine. Learn more at tnmed.org.

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