Over 200 physicians, physicians in training and medical practice executives convened at the state Capitol on Tuesday for TMA’s annual policy briefing and lobby day.

Sixteen of TMA’s 26 county medical societies were represented at the event, covering 53 of Tennessee’s 95 counties. Members attended nearly 100 meetings throughout the day to educate lawmakers on the association’s policy priorities: TennCare payment reform, prior authorization reform and pregnancy termination exceptions for lethal fetal anomalies.

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 child immunizations, rural hospital reimbursement, and physician-assisted suicide.

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

TMA would like to thank all who attended knowing that many had to sacrifice time away from their practice and patients to be there. Only through your active involvement and advocacy efforts can TMA continue to be the most effective voice for physicians on Tennessee’s Capitol Hill.

ABORTION-INDUCING DRUGS & CHILD IMMUNIZATIONS

Two TMA-opposed measures stalled once again on Tuesday after receiving limited support from House Population Health Subcommittee members.

Legislation targeting abortion-inducing drugs (SB194/HB26) and vaccine recommendations for children (SB1030/HB1156) were taken off notice and referred to summer study, respectively.

The first bill, dubbed the Unborn Child Protection Act, would have prohibited manufacturers from mailing or otherwise sending drugs like mifepristone and misoprostol to patients under the premise of preventing access to “abortion-inducing drugs,” despite the medications having other medical indications. The second would have eliminated the requirement that parents or legal guardians vaccinate children in their care as recommended by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention and the American Academy of Pediatrics. As filed, both bills directly conflict with various TMA House of Delegates policies governing vaccinations and reproductive care.

Though the government affairs team was successful in delaying these proposals, the bills are just two of several that TMA’s Legislative Committee has identified as issues to actively oppose this session. In the coming weeks, members may receive calls-to-action asking them to contact their lawmakers to request they vote against these measures. Ensure your voice is heard by registering to receive these communications at tnmed.org/actionalerts. You can also help support TMA’s advocacy efforts by becoming a key grassroots contact. By letting us know which legislators you have personal relationships with, we can leverage those relationships into legislative action, and activate our members more effectively when important votes arise. To get started, take a brief survey at members.tnmed.org/grassrootsurvey.