Tennessee Senate Bill SB2846

Tennessee 2023-2024 Regular Session

• Introduced: 2/1/24

Caption

AN ACT to amend Tennessee Code Annotated, Title 68, relative to healthcare facilities.

Impact

The bill notably modifies the existing requirements for healthcare institutions, particularly emphasizing the necessity for a certificate of need before establishing or altering healthcare services. This change would affect numerous healthcare entities, including nursing homes, home health agencies, and hospitals. The adjustments in the population thresholds for regulatory requirements and detailed changes in service initiation points are expected to reshape how healthcare providers operate within the state, potentially facilitating increased efficiency and service availability.

Summary

Senate Bill 2846, titled the 'Tennessee Healthcare Quality and Access Act of 2024,' aims to amend several provisions in Tennessee Code Annotated concerning healthcare facilities. This legislation focuses on ensuring that quality healthcare services are accessible while enforcing new certification requirements for various healthcare institutions. By restructuring definitions and requirements around healthcare institutions, the bill seeks to streamline operations and enhance patient care in the state.

Contention

While the intent behind SB2846 is to improve healthcare access and quality, there exists contention surrounding its implementation. Critics may argue that the increased regulatory requirements, especially concerning the certificate of need, could stifle innovation and competition within the healthcare sector. Moreover, the definitions and exclusions of certain facilities from regulations, like freestanding emergency departments, could create disparities in service provision, particularly in rural areas where access to varied healthcare services is already limited.