The legislative offices of the Cordell Hull Building were bustling with white coats on Tuesday as more than 300 physicians, physicians in training, and healthcare advocates gathered in Nashville to bring the voice of organized medicine to state lawmakers at TMA’s annual Doctors’ Day on the Hill.

Nineteen of TMA’s 26 county medical societies were represented at the event, covering 56 of Tennessee’s 95 counties. Members attended 75 meetings throughout the day to educate lawmakers on the association’s policy priorities: Insurance Reform on prior authorization and downcoding, TennCare Provider Rate Increases, Medical Necessity, and mid-level provider Scope of Practice.

Physicians in training also received a special presentation from Sen. Richard Briggs, MD (R-Knoxville), who spoke about the importance of getting involved in legislative advocacy of behalf of the medical profession.

Attendees also had the opportunity to sit in on committee hearings to watch bills impacting healthcare move through the legislative process, including issues related to TennCare reimbursements, Pharmacy Benefit Managers, and biomarker testing coverage.

At the conclusion of meetings, members enjoyed an afternoon social gathering where they were able to network with legislators and colleagues from across the state.

TMA realizes that many of you had to sacrifice time away from your practice and patients to attend so we would like to thank you. It is only through your active involvement and advocacy efforts can TMA continue to be the most effective voice for physicians on Tennessee’s Capitol Hill.

TMA BILLS ADVANCE 

SB2155/HB2619, TMA’s One Big Beautiful Insurance Bill, unanimously passed out of House Insurance Subcommittee this week. Due to a packed calendar, the bill was not heard in Senate Commerce and Labor Committee and has been moved to next week. The bill makes comprehensive changes to various health insurance statutes to ensure companies fairly and transparently adjudicate claims. It would expand prior authorization approval for treatment of a chronic condition from the current 6 months to 12 months. It would also prohibit a health insurance entity from automatically downcoding a claim submitted by a provider unless there is first a review of the patient’s medical record. The bill is scheduled to be heard in both the House Insurance Committee and Senate Commerce and Labor Committee on Tuesday, March 10.

TMA’s bill for TennCare Provider Rate Increases, SB2080/HB2046, unanimously passed out of the TennCare Subcommittee this week. The bill would increase reimbursement rates to Medicare levels in three service areas: evaluation and management, maternal care, and anesthesia. TennCare’s reimbursement rates to physicians, physician assistants, and advance practice registered nurses remain significantly below those of Medicare and commercial payers, creating a persistent payment gap that threatens access to care across Tennessee. The bill is scheduled to be heard both in the House Insurance Committee and Senate Commerce and Labor Committee on Tuesday, March 10.

SCOPE OF PRACTICE

TMA is working with its multi-specialty partners in the Coalition for Collaborative Care to oppose multiple bills this session that would expand mid-level providers scope of practice. While all members of the care team are vital, they are not equivalent on the depth and breadth of physician education. Patient safety should not be compromised! We need your help to educate lawmakers on the risks posed to patients. All four bills are set to be heard in House Health Subcommittee on Wednesday, March 11.

• HB2554 Independent Practice for APRNs
• HB2555 Independent Practice for PAs
• HB2557 Test and Treat for Pharmacists
• HB2315 Psychologists Prescribing

CALL TO ACTION 

SB2155 is set to be heard in the Senate Commerce and Labor Committee on Tuesday, March 10. This is a major hurdle and we need your help! If your State Senator is on this Committee, please send them a message. To take action, click the button below. 

The House companion HB2619 is set to be heard in House Insurance Committee on Tuesday March 10. If your Representative is on this Committee, please send them a message. To take action, click the button below.

The four SCOPE bills are set to be heard in the House Health Subcommittee on Wednesday March 11. If your Representative is on this Committee, please send them a message. To take action, click the button below.

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