Tennessee House Bill HB2721

Tennessee 2023-2024 Regular Session

• Introduced: 1/31/24

Caption

AN ACT to amend Tennessee Code Annotated, Title 39, Chapter 15; Title 63 and Title 68, relative to women's health.

Impact

The modification in the bill could lead to significant changes in the landscape of women's health services in Tennessee. By lowering the threshold for determining a population's impact, it may make it easier for women’s health programs that cater to smaller populations to receive funding or be prioritized for services. Conversely, critics may argue that this could lead to a dilution of resources as attention is drawn away from larger populations that are traditionally serviced under a higher impact threshold. Overall, this amendment may result in a shift in focus regarding healthcare expenditures and priorities within the state’s health policy framework.

Summary

House Bill 2721 aims to amend certain provisions within the Tennessee Code Annotated related to women's health. Specifically, it proposes to change the definition of 'large population impact' from two percent to one-half of one percent of the state's population. This alteration has implications for how health-related regulations and funding may be applied or accessed in relation to women's health services across the state. It reflects an effort to recalibrate what constitutes a significant population affected, which could potentially expand or restrict access to various healthcare services depending on implementation.

Contention

Debate surrounding HB2721 is expected to center on the implications of redefining population metrics related to women's health. Proponents argue that lowering the threshold creates a more equitable and manageable structure for healthcare accessibility, particularly beneficial for marginalized communities. However, opponents might see this as a way to minimize the focus on large-scale health issues that impact significant portions of the population, arguing that the quality and availability of care could suffer as a result. As such, the bill is positioned as a potential point of contention within legislative discussions on health equity in Tennessee.