Gov. Bill Lee delivered his sixth annual State of the State address on Monday, presenting a proposed $53 billion budget and his 2024 legislative priorities to a joint session of the Tennessee General Assembly. The budget earmarks major investments in public education, school vouchers, healthcare, and a whopping $1.2 billion tax cut for corporations and businesses. However, the budget is comparatively less ambitious than last fiscal year, slowing one-time spending due to stagnating revenue growth in recent months.

Among Lee’s top legislative priorities include tackling rising issues related to artificial intelligence technology, improving school safety, and supporting conservation efforts. Healthcare was also notably prioritized this year, with over $200 million over 5 years being allocated to improve rural access to telemedicine and specialty care, invest in hospital and physician practice grants, and expand apprenticeships and skilled training. An additional $100 million will go toward strengthening behavioral health hospitals, expanding treatment for substance use disorder, and improving intensive in-home support. The budget also allocates $26.7 million in services for Tennesseans with disabilities. The investments are all generated from TennCare shared savings through the state’s block grant, adding no cost to taxpayers.

A full breakdown of the 2024-2025 FY budget can be found here.

MATURE MINOR DOCTRINE

The ability for physicians to treat minors without the knowledge or agreement of parents, also known as the mature minor doctrine, faces an onslaught this session. Among several measures filed for consideration, two were scheduled to be heard in committees this week but were ultimately delayed due to TMA’s opposition.

The Tennessee Parents’ Bill of Rights by Sen. Joey Hensley, MD (R-Hohenwald) and Rep. Gino Bulso (R-Brentwood) and the Families’ Rights and Responsibilities Act by Sen. Mark Pody (R-Lebanon) and Rep. Kevin Raper (R-Cleveland) are seemingly innocuous at first glance, but both bills would effectively erode the longstanding common law rule that allows pediatricians and family physicians to treat minors for conditions like drug abuse, venereal diseases, contraception, and prenatal care without first receiving consent from their legal guardian. In both bills, there is a civil right of action for parents to file suit against a physician who renders care under these circumstances.

TMA lobbyists met with both bill sponsors in hopes of adding amendments that limit the scope to exclude healthcare. While it’s unclear the extent to which an agreement can be reached, the Tennessee Parents’ Bill of Rights act was deferred one week while the Families’ Rights and Responsibilities Act was deferred two. TMA will continue to actively oppose measures that threaten a physician’s ability to use good-faith medical judgment to protect minors from harmful health conditions or that pose a public health risk.