Tennessee House Bill HB1311

Tennessee 2023-2024 Regular Session

• Introduced: 1/31/23
• Refer: 2/2/23
• Refer: 3/14/23
• Refer: 3/22/23
• Refer: 4/3/23
• Refer: 4/12/23
• Refer: 4/18/23
• Chaptered: 5/24/23
• Passed: 5/24/23

Caption

AN ACT to amend Tennessee Code Annotated, Title 49; Title 63 and Title 68, relative to graduate physicians.

Impact

The enactment of HB 1311 is expected to transform the state's approach to healthcare delivery by facilitating the entry of graduate physicians into practice, particularly where medical resources are limited. By formally establishing collaborative practice arrangements that define the roles and responsibilities of participating physicians, the bill sets a legal framework through which graduate physicians can contribute to patient care. This licensing process supports the integration of these practitioners into the healthcare system, potentially increasing patient access to healthcare services in rural settings.

Summary

House Bill 1311, known as the Graduate Physicians Act, aims to address the physician shortage in Tennessee by allowing graduate physicians—medical school graduates who have passed certain qualifying examinations—to practice under collaborative agreements with licensed physicians. This bill is particularly focused on expanding healthcare availability in underserved rural areas of the state. Under this act, graduate physicians will be authorized to provide primary care services only in specific settings, ensuring that those services are delivered in areas that need them most. The law is viewed as a necessary step to mitigate the ongoing deficit of practicing physicians, especially in rural locations where medical expertise is scarce.

Sentiment

General sentiment around HB 1311 appears to be cautiously optimistic among supporters who believe that the bill fills a critical gap in healthcare availability. Advocates argue that this law is vital for addressing the physician shortage and increasing medical care in underserved areas. However, there are also concerns about the quality of care provided by graduate physicians, especially regarding supervision and training. Opponents may argue that this arrangement could compromise patient safety if not managed correctly, leading to mixed opinions within the medical community regarding the adequacy of training and oversight for graduate physicians.

Contention

One notable point of contention regarding HB 1311 lies in the supervision requirements outlined in the bill. Critics express apprehensions that the regulations may not sufficiently ensure that graduate physicians receive adequate oversight while practicing. The requirement that a collaborating physician can only supervise a limited number of graduate physicians simultaneously raises concerns about available support for these practitioners. Additionally, debates have surfaced regarding scope limitations for graduate physicians, particularly in relation to prescribing authority, with discussions about whether or not allowing such authority is safe based on their training.