April 29, 2025

Lawmakers concluded their business late on Tuesday, April 22 in the first session of the 114th General Assembly. The legislature delivered results this year by prioritizing conservative policies and fulfilling the General Assembly’s constitutional duty of approving a balanced budget. Last week, TPA’s PBM reform bill (HB 1244) passed on the House floor with a 93-0 vote. 

Thank you to all TPA members that reached out to their legislators this session! TPA encourages you to follow-up and send thank you notes for their support this year!  

2025 TPA Legislative victories – each taking effect on July 1, 2025: 

• Scope/Payment Clean-up bill SB 569 (Reeves)/ HB 693 (Baum): Signed by the Governor on March 25

• Support for Recovery bill – SB 619 (Harshbarger)/ HB 657 (T. Hicks): Signed by the Governor on March 28

• Awaiting Governor Signature

• • 340B Program – SB 1414 (Briggs)/HB1242 (Helton-Haynes) 

• • PBM Reform – SB 881 (Reeves)/HB 1244 (B. Martin)

TPA is in its fourth legislative session with Husch Blackwell Strategies, formerly known as Harris Frazier Government Relations, to assist in carrying out our legislative priorities and response to the urgent issues impacting the profession. Review this week’s general legislative summary from HSB and the current bill tracker, listing all bills that TPA is following on behalf of our members.  

April 22, 2025 

As both chambers passed the budget last week, they have come back just for a few days this week to finish hearing remaining bills with an expected adjournment on Wednesday. For TPA priorities on 340B and PBM reform, these remaining bills crossed the finish line and make their way to the Governor for signature. Thank you to all TPA members that reached out to legislators this session! TPA encourages you to follow-up and send thank you notes for their support this year! 

TPA Priorities:  340B Program – SB 1414 (Briggs)/HB1242 (Helton-Haynes) 

As this amended bill has a fiscal note of ‘no significant impact’, SB 1414 passed Senate Finance (8-3) on April 8 and passed the Senate on April 16 with a 27-5 vote. HB 1242 passed the House Finance Subcommittee (11-0) on April 9, passed the full House Finance Committee (27-0) on April 14 and passed the House on April 16 with an 84-4-4 vote. TPA Priority for Protection of 340B now moves to the Governor for signature! 

TPA Priorities:  PBM Reform – SB 881 (Reeves)/HB 1244 (B. Martin) 

Given recent news from a TDCI audit of Express Scripts, this bill holds more importance and by removing the limit on penalties that TDCI can issue to PBMs for violations and repeat violations of the law while ensuring PBMs continue to follow prompt payment of clean claims they process. HB 1244 passed the House Government Operations Committee with a 12-0 vote on April 16 and passed the House with a 93-0 vote on April 21. The bill is expected to be signed by the Governor soon. 

TPA is in its fourth legislative session with Husch Blackwell Strategies, formerly known as Harris Frazier Government Relations, to assist in carrying out our legislative priorities and response to the urgent issues impacting the profession. Review this week’s general legislative summary from HSB and the current bill tracker, listing all bills that TPA is following on behalf of our members.  

April 15, 2025

As the end of the legislative session nears, TPA priorities on 340B and PBM reform continue to make progress and will be voted on this week. TPA encourages all members to continue their outreach to your legislators to make sure your voice is heard during this critical time. 

TPA Priorities:  340B Program – SB 1414 (Briggs)/HB1242 (Helton-Haynes) 

As this amended bill has a fiscal note of ‘no significant impact’, SB 1414 passed Senate Finance (8-3) on April 8 and will be heard on the Senate floor on Wednesday, April 16 at 2:00 PM CST. HB 1242 passed the House Finance Subcommittee (11-0) on April 9 and passed the full House Finance Committee (27-0) on April 14. TPA expects HB 1242 to be heard on the House floor within the next week. TPA strongly urges you to contact your Senator and Representative to support this bill and share the 340B Program leave-behind flyer today! 

TPA Priorities:  PBM Reform – SB 881 (Reeves)/HB 1244 (B. Martin) 

Given recent news from a TDCI audit of Express Scripts, this bill holds more importance and by removing the limit on penalties that TDCI can issue to PBMs for violations and repeat violations of the law while ensuring PBMs continue to follow prompt payment of clean claims they process. HB 1244 will be heard by the House Government Operations Committee on Wednesday, March 16 at 9:00 AM CST. HB 1244 is then expected to be heard on the House floor within the next week. If it passes, then the bill will move to the Governor for signature as its companion bill (SB 881) passed the Senate on March 31. Review and share the PBM Reform leave-behind flyer with your Representative today! 

TPA is in its fourth legislative session with Husch Blackwell Strategies, formerly known as Harris Frazier Government Relations, to assist in carrying out our legislative priorities and response to the urgent issues impacting the profession. Review this week’s general legislative summary from HSB and the current bill tracker, listing all bills that TPA is following on behalf of our members.  

TPA priorities on 340B and PBM reform are being heard this week. TPA encourages all members to continue their outreach to your legislators to make sure your voice is heard during this critical time. 

TPA Priorities:  340B Program – SB 1414 (Briggs)/HB1242 (Helton-Haynes) 

This past week, TPA along with other coalition members worked to successfully file an amendment that would reduce the fiscal note of the bill to ‘no significant impact.’ As SB 1414/HB 1242 have both passed their respective committees of importance, this new amendment allows the bill move forward without being heard by the Finance Committees in the Senate and House. Therefore, we await a definite date for the bill to move for a floor vote in both chambers. TPA strongly urges you to contact your Senator and Representative to support this bill and share the 340B Program leave-behind flyer today! 

TPA Priorities:  PBM Reform – SB 881 (Reeves)/HB 1244 (B. Martin) 

This bill will hold PBMs more accountable to the law by removing the limit on penalties that TDCI can issue to PBMs for violations and repeat violations of the law while ensuring PBMs continue to follow prompt payment of clean claims they process. On Monday, March 31, the Senate voted and approved SB 881 with a vote of 30-0. Tomorrow/Wednesday, April 2, HB 1244 will be heard by the House Insurance Committee at 1:30 PM CST. Review and share the PBM Reform leave-behind flyer with your Representative today! 

2025 TPA Legislative victories – each taking effect on July 1, 2025: 

• Signed by the Governor on March 25 

• • Scope/Payment Clean-up bill SB 569 (Reeves)/ HB 693 (Baum) 

• Signed by the Governor on March 28 

• • Support for Recovery bill – SB 619 (Harshbarger)/ HB 657 (T. Hicks) 

Miscellaneous 

SB 858 (Taylor) / HB 939 (Powers) 

On Tuesday, March 25, SB 858 was presented to Senate Commerce and Labor Committee as a caption bill (placeholder bill). The bill sponsor presented an amendment that showcased language that prevents a state from regulating ERISA plans, which would reverse the effects of 2022’s Public Chapter 1070 on PBM reform. While this bill passed the Senate committee, TPA’s grassroots was actively quickly to prevent HB 939 from being heard by the House State and Local Government Committee on Wednesday, March 26. TPA has since worked with the House sponsor and House leadership to remove this bill from notice for the year. TPA will continue to defend the 2022 PBM law from any attacks to remove this authority by the state.  

SB 420 (Reeves) / HB 870 (Rudder) 

SB 420 deferred by the Senate Commerce and Labor Committee for 2026 legislative session. HB 870 passed the House Insurance Subcommittee on March 19 then the House Insurance full Committee on March 25. This bill prohibits an insurer, pharmacy benefits manager, or third-party administrator from changing or conditioning the terms of health plan coverage based on availability of financial or other product assistance for a prescription drug; establishes certain procedures for calculating an enrollee’s contribution to an applicable cost sharing requirement. 

TPA is in its fourth legislative session with Husch Blackwell Strategies, formerly known as Harris Frazier Government Relations, to assist in carrying out our legislative priorities and response to the urgent issues impacting the profession. Review this week’s general legislative summary from HSB and the current bill tracker, listing all bills that TPA is following on behalf of our members. 

March 25, 2025

TPA priorities on 340B and PBM reform are being heard this week. TPA encourages all members to continue their outreach to your legislators to make sure your voice is heard during this critical time. 

TPA Priorities:  340B Program – SB 1414 (Briggs)/HB1242 (Helton-Haynes) 

TPA along with other coalition members have been working hard with leadership to review the fiscal note tagged to the 340B bill. The price tag on this bill does not align with any other states that have advocated for similar legislation. TPA hopes to have the fiscal note adjusted to garner more support in moving this bill forward. SB 1414 will be heard today, Tuesday, March 25 at 3:00 PM CST by the Senate Commerce and Labor Committee. Contact your legislators today to support this bill and share the 340B Program leave-behind flyer with your legislators today! 

TPA Priorities:  PBM Reform – SB 881 (Reeves)/HB 1244 (B. Martin) 

This bill is designed to focus on additional PBM reform provisions to hold PBMs accountable to the law. TPA is focused on removing the cap on penalties that TDCI can issue to PBMs for violations of the law while ensuring PBMs continue to follow prompt payment of clean claims they process. Both SB 881 and HB 1244 will be heard today, Tuesday, March 25. SB 881 will be heard by the Senate Commerce and Labor Committee at 3:00 PM CST. HB 1244 will be heard by the House Insurance Committee at 10:30 AM CST. Review and share the PBM Reform leave-behind flyer with your legislators today! 

2025 TPA Legislative wins moving to Governor for signature: 

• Support for Recovery bill – SB 619 (Harshbarger)/ HB 657 (T. Hicks) 

• Scope/Payment Clean-up bill SB 569 (Reeves)/ HB 693 (Baum) 

TPA is in its fourth legislative session with Husch Blackwell Strategies, formerly known as Harris Frazier Government Relations, to assist in carrying out our legislative priorities and response to the urgent issues impacting the profession. Review this week’s general legislative summary from HSB and the current bill tracker, listing all bills that TPA is following on behalf of our members. 

March 18, 2025

In the past week, the Support for Recovery bill – SB 619 (Harshbarger)/ HB 657 (T. Hicks) and Scope/Payment Clean-up bill SB 569 (Reeves)/ HB 693 (Baum) have passed both chambers and now moves to the Governor for signature! Thank you for all the grassroots to move these TPA priorities forward! TPA encourages you to thank your legislators for the overwhelming support received on both bills.  

TPA is now focusing on 340B and PBM Reform. TPA encourages all members to continue their outreach to your legislators to make sure your voice is heard during this critical time. 

TPA Priorities:  340B Program – SB 1414 (Briggs)/HB1242 (Helton-Haynes) 

Last week, TPA along with other coalition members met again with leadership to review the fiscal note tagged to the 340B bill. The price tag on this bill does not align with any other states that have advocated for similar legislation. TPA hopes to have the fiscal note adjusted to garner more support in moving this bill forward. SB 1414 was deferred on March 11 and is now expected to be heard by the Senate Commerce and Labor Committee on Tuesday, March 18. Contact your legislators today to support this bill and share the 340B Program leave-behind flyer with your legislators today! 

TPA Priorities:  PBM Reform – SB 881 (Reeves)/HB 1244 (B. Martin) 

SB 881/HB 1244 is expected to be heard in their respective committees as the bill works through the legislative process. This bill is designed to focus on additional PBM reform provisions to hold PBMs accountable to the law. TPA is focused on removing the cap on penalties that TDCI can issue to PBMs for violations of the law while ensuring PBMs continue to follow prompt payment of clean claims they process. Review and share the PBM Reform leave-behind flyer with your legislators today!  

Miscellaneous: 

 Protects terms of health plan coverage – SB 420 (Reeves)/HB 870 (Rudder) 

• HB 870 expected to be heard soon by House Insurance Subcommittee and SB 420 is expected to be heard by Senate Commerce and Labor Committee on March 18.  

• This bill prohibits an insurer, pharmacy benefits manager, or third-party administrator from changing or conditioning the terms of health plan coverage based on availability of financial or other product assistance for a prescription drug; establishes certain procedures for calculating an enrollee’s contribution to an applicable cost sharing requirement. The bill targets copay maximizers and alternative funding plans. 

Bronchodilators for Schools – SB 817 (Lowe)/HB 760 (Darby) 

• HB 760 passed in the House Health Committee (22-0) on February 25, the House Education Committee (16-0) on March 4, and the House Government Operations Committee (13-0) on March 10. SB 817 passed the Senate Education Committee (9-0) on March 5. HB 760/SB 817 are now expected to be heard by the House and Senate Finance, Ways and Means Committee.  

• This bill authorizing the dispensing of a bronchodilator rescue inhaler to an authorized school nurse to then be administered to a person believed to be experiencing asthma symptoms or respiratory distress in an emergency, under a standing protocol from the healthcare practitioner. TPA continues to monitor. 

TPA is in its fourth legislative session with Husch Blackwell Strategies, formerly known as Harris Frazier Government Relations, to assist in carrying out our legislative priorities and response to the urgent issues impacting the profession. Review this week’s general legislative summary from HSB and the current bill tracker, listing all bills that TPA is following on behalf of our members. 

March 11, 2024

TPA encourages all members to continue their outreach to your legislators to make sure your voice is heard during this critical time. 

 TPA Priorities:  340B Program – SB 1414 (Briggs)/HB1242 (Helton-Haynes) 

This week, TPA along with other coalition members met again with leadership to review the fiscal note tagged to the 340B bill. The price tag on this bill does not align with any other states that have advocated for similar legislation. TPA hopes to have the fiscal note adjusted to garner more support in moving this bill forward. TPA expects this bill to be heard by the Senate Commerce and Labor Committee on March 18.   

TPA Priorities: Scope and Payment Clean-up – SB 569 (Reeves)/ HB 693 (Baum) 

The House Health Committee passed HB 693 (18-0) on March 4. HB 693 was moved to the House regular agenda for approval on Thursday, March 13. The Senate passed SB 569 (27-3) on March 6. Once approved HB 693 is approved on Thursday, this bill will move to the Governor for signature.

TPA Priorities: Support for Healthcare Professionals in Recovery – SB 619 (Harshbarger)/ HB 657 (T. Hicks) 

The House Government Operations Committee passed HB 657 (11-0) on March 3. The bill was approved by the full House and full Senate on March 10, and now it moves to the Governor for signature. 

TPA Priorities:  PBM Reform – SB 881 (Reeves)/HB 1244 (B. Martin) 

Next week SB 881/HB 1244 is expected to be heard in their respective committees as the bill works through the legislative process. This bill is designed to focus on additional PBM reform provisions to hold PBMs accountable to the law. TPA is focused on removing the cap on penalties that TDCI can issue to PBMs for violations of the law while ensuring PBMs continue to follow prompt payment of clean claims they process. Review and share the PBM Reform leave-behind flyer with your legislators today! 

Miscellaneous: 

Protects terms of health plan coverage – SB 420 (Reeves)/HB 870 (Rudder) 

• HB 870 expected to be heard soon by House Insurance Subcommittee and SB 420 is expected to be heard by Senate Commerce and Labor Committee. 

• This bill prohibits an insurer, pharmacy benefits manager, or third-party administrator from changing or conditioning the terms of health plan coverage based on availability of financial or other product assistance for a prescription drug; establishes certain procedures for calculating an enrollee’s contribution to an applicable cost sharing requirement. The bill targets copay maximizers and alternative funding plans. 

Bronchodilators for Schools – SB 817 (Lowe)/HB 760 (Darby) 

• HB 760 passed in the House Health Committee (22-0) on February 25 and passed in the House Education Committee (16-0) on March 4. HB 760 passed the House Government Operations Committee (9-0) on March 10. SB 817 passed the Senate Education Committee (9-0) on March 5 and now moves to the Senate Finance, Ways and Means Committee.  

• This bill authorizing the dispensing of a bronchodilator rescue inhaler to an authorized school nurse to then be administered to a person believed to be experiencing asthma symptoms or respiratory distress in an emergency, under a standing protocol from the healthcare practitioner. TPA continues to monitor. 

Specialty Tax Exemption:  SB 907 (Haile)/HB 767 (G. Hicks) 

• SB 907 has been referred to Senate Finance, Ways and Means. HB 767 has been placed behind budget discussion. 

• This bill exempts from business tax, receipts from the sale of a prescription drug or medicine with a cost for a 30-day equivalent supply that exceeds the Medicare cost threshold for 2025 plan years and services necessary for proper preparation, storage, handling, administration, patient education, or post-sale monitoring of such exempted drugs or medicines. 

Unborn Child Act: SB 194 (Hensley)/HB 26 (Bulso) 

• HB 26 has been taken off notice in House Pop Health Subcommittee. SB 194 has been referred to Senate Judiciary Committee. TPA does not expect this bill to continue to move forward. 

TPA is in its fourth legislative session with Husch Blackwell Strategies, formerly known as Harris Frazier Government Relations, to assist in carrying out our legislative priorities and response to the urgent issues impacting the profession. Review this week’s general legislative summary from HSB and the current bill tracker, listing all bills that TPA is following on behalf of our members. 

 March 4, 2025

Over 200 pharmacists, student pharmacists, and pharmacy technicians amplified the voice of the pharmacy profession in Nashville at Pharmacy Day on the Hill to help move the profession’s priorities forward. TPA encourages all members to continue their outreach to your legislators to make sure your voice is heard during this critical time. 

TPA Priorities:  340B Program 

SB 1414 (Briggs)/HB1242 (Helton-Haynes) – HB 1242 passed the House Insurance Subcommittee (6-0) on February 26 and now will be heard on Wednesday, March 5 in the House Insurance Committee at 4:30 PM CST. SB 1414 is expected to be reviewed by the Senate Commerce and Labor Committee in the next 1-2 weeks. This bill which protects the 340B drug pricing program and prevents pharmaceutical companies from adding additional restrictions to the program, continues to gain support as TPA and other members of a 340B coalition work to discuss the importance of the bill to members of the House Insurance Committee. Review and share the 340B Program leave-behind flyer with your legislators today! 

TPA Priorities: Scope and Payment Clean-up 

SB 569 (Reeves)/ HB 693 (Baum) – HB 693 was deferred on February 25 and now will be heard today/Tuesday, March 4 in the House Health Committee at 1:30 PM CST. SB 569 was deferred from the Senate consent agenda on March 3 and now will be heard Thursday, March 6 as part of the Senate regular calendar at 8:30 AM CST. Review and share the Scope Clean-Up Legislator leave-behind flyer with your legislators today! 

TPA Priorities: Support for Healthcare Professionals in Recovery 

SB 619 (Harshbarger)/ HB 657 (T. Hicks) – HB 657 passed the House Health Committee (15-4-1) on February 25 and passed the House Government Operations Committee (11-0) on March 3. HB 657 will now move to the House Calendar and Rules Committee with the date to be determined. SB 619 was deferred on February 26, and will now be heard on Wednesday, March 5 by the Senate Health Committee  at 1:00 PM CST. Review and share the Recovery Act Legislator leave-behind flyer with your legislators today! 

TPA Priorities:  PBM Reform 

SB 881 (Reeves)/HB 1244 (B. Martin) – HB 1244 is proposed for review by the House Insurance Subcommittee with the date to be determined. SB 881 is proposed for review by the Senate Commerce and Labor Committee with the date to be determined. This bill is designed to focus on additional PBM reform provisions to hold PBMs accountable to the law. Following meetings with legislative sponsors and the PBM industry, TPA is focused on removing the cap on penalties that TDCI can issue to PBMs for violations of the law while ensuring PBMs continue to follow prompt payment of clean claims they process. Review and share the PBM Reform leave-behind flyer with your legislators today! 

Miscellaneous:  

SB 817 (Lowe)/HB 760 (Darby) – HB 760 passed in the House Health Committee and is now referred to the House Education Committee for March 4. SB 817 will be heard on March 5 by the Senate Education Committee. This bill authorizing the dispensing of a bronchodilator rescue inhaler to an authorized school nurse to then be administered to a person believed to be experiencing asthma symptoms or respiratory distress in an emergency, under a standing protocol from the healthcare practitioner. TPA is monitoring. 

SB 329 (Powers)/HB 321 (Lamberth) – HB 321 passed in the House with an amendment on February 24. SB 329 will be heard on March 4 by Senate State and Local Government Committee. This bill removed all references to the use of faxes in Tennessee Code Annotated. Through efforts of TPA and other medical groups, the amendment passed by the House ensures direct impact on the prescriptions authorized via fax were not impacted. 

We highly recommend that all our members continue to proactively contact their elected officials and establish themselves as valuable resources on pharmacy and healthcare matters. If you’re unsure about the identity of your legislators, utilize the legislator finder tool. You and your relationship with your legislators are the profession’s most important advocacy asset.  

TPA is in its fourth legislative session with Husch Blackwell Strategies, formerly known as Harris Frazier Government Relations, to assist in carrying out our legislative priorities and response to the urgent issues impacting the profession. Review this week’s general legislative summary from HSB and the current bill tracker, listing all bills that TPA is following on behalf of our members. 

February 25, 2025 

Over 100 pharmacists, student pharmacists, and pharmacy technicians are helping to amplify the voice of the profession in Nashville today at Pharmacy Day on Hill as TPA priorities continue to progress forward. 

 TPA Priorities: Scope and Payment Clean-up 

SB 569 (Reeves)/ HB 693 (Baum) – SB 569 will be heard today/Tuesday, February 25 in the Senate Commerce and Labor Committee at 1:00 PM CST and HB 693 will be heard in the House Health Committee at 1:30 PM CST. Review and share the Scope Clean-Up Legislator leave-behind flyer  with your legislators today! 

TPA Priorities: Support for Healthcare Professionals in Recovery 

SB 569 (Reeves)/ HB 693 (Baum) – HB 693 will be heard today/Tuesday, February 25 in House Health Committee at 1:30 PM CST. On Wednesday, February 26, SB 569 will be heard by the Senate Health Committe at 1:00 PM CST. Review and share the Recovery Act Legislator leave-behind flyer with your legislators today! 

TPA Priorities:  340B Program 

SB 1414 (Briggs)/HB1242 (Helton-Haynes), will be heard on Wednesday, February 26 in the House Insurance Subcommittee at 10:30 AM CST. HB 1242, which protects the 340B drug pricing program and prevent pharmaceutical companies from adding additional restrictions to the program, continues to gain support as TPA and other members of a 340B coalition work to discuss the importance of the bill to members of the House Insurance Subcommittee. Review and share the TPA legislator leave-behind flyer with your legislators today! 

TPA Priorities:  PBM Reform 

SB 881 (Reeves)/HB 1244 (B. Martin) is designed to focus on additional PBM reform provisions to hold PBMs accountable to the law. Following meetings with legislative sponsors and the PBM industry, TPA will look to remove the cap on penalties that TDCI can issue to PBMs for violations of the law while ensuring PBMs continue to follow prompt payment of clean claims they process. Review and share the TPA legislator leave-behind flyer with your legislators today! 

Miscellaneous: 

HB 0760 (Darby)/SB 0817 (Lowe), will be heard today/Tuesday, February 25 in House Health Committee at 1:30 PM CST. HB 760 is a bill authorizing the dispensing of a bronchodilator rescue inhaler to an authorized school nurse to then be administered to a person believed to be experiencing asthma symptoms or respiratory distress in an emergency, under a standing protocol from the healthcare practitioner. TPA is monitoring. 

We highly recommend that all our members continue to proactively contact their elected officials and establish themselves as valuable resources on pharmacy and healthcare matters. If you’re unsure about the identity of your legislators, utilize the legislator finder tool. You and your relationship with your legislators are the profession’s most important advocacy asset.  

TPA is in its fourth legislative session with Husch Blackwell Strategies, formerly known as Harris Frazier Government Relations, to assist in carrying out our legislative priorities and response to the urgent issues impacting the profession. Review this week’s general legislative summary from HSB and the current bill tracker, listing all bills that TPA is following on behalf of our members. 

February 18, 2025

TPA Priorities:  Scope and Payment Clean-Up 

SB 569 (Reeves)/ HB 693 (Baum) will be heard in House Health Subcommittee tomorrow/Wednesday, February 19th. Review and share the TPA legislator leave-behind flyer with your legislators today! 

TPA Priorities:  Support for Those in Recovery 

SB619 (Harshbarger)/HB 657 (Hicks) will be heard in House Health Subcommittee tomorrow/Wednesday, February 19th. Review and share the TPA legislator leave-behind flyer with your legislators today! 

TPA Priorities:  340B Program 

SB 1414 (Briggs)/HB1242 (Helton-Haynes), which protects the 340B drug pricing program and prevent pharmaceutical companies from adding additional restrictions to the program, continues to gain support as TPA and other members of a 340B coalition work to discuss the importance of the bill to members of the Senate Commerce Committee and House Insurance Subcommittee. Review and share the TPA legislator leave-behind flyer with your legislators today! 

TPA Priorities:  PBM Reform 

SB 881 (Reeves)/HB 1244 (B. Martin) is designed to focus on additional PBM reform provisions to ease the burden on pharmacies when submitting external appeals for refills on an approved appeal and remove the cap on penalties that TDCI can issue to PBMs for violations of the law. TPA is meeting with the PBM industry and legislative leaders this week to review the bill language.  

Miscellaneous:  

HB 0760 (Darby)/SB 0817 (Lowe), a bill authorizing the dispensing of a bronchodilator rescue inhaler to an authorized school nurse to then be administered to a person believed to be experiencing asthma symptoms or respiratory distress in an emergency, under a standing protocol from the healthcare practitioner. This bill is set to be heard on February 19th in the House Health Subcommittee. TPA is monitoring. 

We highly recommend that all our members continue to proactively contact their elected officials and establish themselves as valuable resources on pharmacy and healthcare matters. If you’re unsure about the identity of your legislators, utilize the legislator finder tool. You and your relationship with your legislators are the profession’s most important advocacy asset.  

Register today for Pharmacy Day on the Hill (February 25), which is the cornerstone of TPA’s legislative and public policy efforts. It’s a great opportunity to connect with your legislators and advocate for issues important to the profession. 

TPA is in its fourth legislative session with Husch Blackwell Strategies, formerly known as Harris Frazier Government Relations, to assist in carrying out our legislative priorities and response to the urgent issues impacting the profession. Review this week’s general legislative summary from HSB and the current bill tracker, listing all bills that TPA is following on behalf of our members. 

February 11, 2025

TPA’s advocacy team continues to meet with key bill sponsors to finalize talking points and build additional support for our legislative and regulatory goals for 2025. Bill numbers have been assigned to our priorities after last week’s bill filing deadline. 

TPA Priorities:  340B Program 

TPA, along with the Primary Care Association, Tennessee Hospital Association, and various teaching hospitals and other 340B covered entities, have garnered support from Senator Briggs and Representative Helton-Haynes to propose SB 1414 (Briggs)/HB1242 (Helton-Haynes), which protects the 340B drug pricing program and prevent pharmaceutical companies from adding additional restrictions to the program. TPA is working to meet with pharmaceutical manufacturers within the next week to review the bill, and push for it to be heard in the Senate Commerce Committee very soon. Watch for an advocacy alert soon if your Senator serves on this committee. 

TPA Priorities:  PBM Reform 

While TPA closely monitors federal and other state PBM activities that may adjust this priority throughout session, Senator Reeves and Representative Brock Martin will help lead SB 881 (Reeves)/HB 1244 (B. Martin) to focus on additional PBM reform provisions to ease the burden on pharmacies when submitting external appeals for refills on an approved appeal and remove the cap on penalties that TDCI can issue to PBMs for violations of the law. 

TPA Priorities:  Scope and Payment Clean-Up 

With leadership from Senator Reeves and Representative Baum, SB 569 (Reeves)/ HB 693 (Baum) will make minor updates to last year’s scope expansion bill to ensure proper payment of services provided by pharmacists pursuant to last year’s legislation. 

TPA Priorities:  Support for Those in Recovery 

Senator Harshbarger and Representative Tim Hicks have introduced SB619 (Harshbarger)/HB 657 (Hicks) to amend the Right to Know Act to support healthcare professionals with a history of substance use disorder. If they have completed a peer assistance program and maintained at least 10 consecutive years of sobriety, they can petition their regulatory board to remove the indicated adverse licensure actions from the state’s licensure verification system. This amendment aims to reduce the stigma surrounding substance use disorders and provide healthcare professionals with an opportunity to reenter their field with one less barrier. 

We highly recommend that all our members continue to proactively contact their elected officials and establish themselves as valuable resources on pharmacy and healthcare matters. If you’re unsure about the identity of your legislators, utilize the legislator finder tool. You and your relationship with your legislators are the profession’s most important advocacy asset.   

Register today for Pharmacy Day on the Hill (February 25), which is the cornerstone of TPA’s legislative and public policy efforts. It’s a great opportunity to connect with your legislators and advocate for issues important to the profession. 

TPA is in its fourth legislative session with Husch Blackwell Strategies, formerly known as Harris Frazier Government Relations, to assist in carrying out our legislative priorities and response to the urgent issues impacting the profession. Review this week’s general legislative summary from HSB and the current bill tracker, listing all bills that TPA is following on behalf of our members. 

February 4, 2025

TPA’s advocacy team continues to meet with key bill sponsors to finalize talking points and build additional support for our legislative and regulatory goals for 2025. Bill numbers assigned to our priorities will be announced this week as the bill filing deadline is this Thursday, February 6th.  

TPA Priorities:  340B Program – Sen. Briggs & Rep. Helton-Haynes 

This bill will add protections on the 340B drug pricing program and prevent pharmaceutical companies from adding additional restrictions to the program. TPA is part of a strong coalition comprised of the Primary Care Association, Tennessee Hospital Association, and various teaching hospitals and other 340B covered entities.  

TPA Priorities:  PBM Reform – Sen. Reeves & Rep. Brock Martin 

This bill provides minor amendments to Tennessee’s PBM reform laws focused on easing the burden on pharmacies when submitting external appeals for refills on an approved appeal. In addition, TPA is looking to remove the cap on penalties that TDCI can issue to PBMs for violations of the law. TPA is closely monitoring federal and other state PBM activities that may adjust this priority throughout session. 

TPA Priorities:  Scope and Payment Clean-Up – SB 569 (Reeves)/ HB 693 (Baum) 

Sen. Reeves and Rep. Baum will serve as lead sponsors on a bill to make minor amendments to last year’s scope expansion bill to ensure proper payment of services provided by pharmacists pursuant to last year’s legislation. 

TPA Priorities:  Right to Know Act Amendment – Sen. Harshbarger & Rep. Tim Hicks 

This bill will allow healthcare providers to petition their respective regulatory board to remove an Adverse Licensure Action listed in the state’s licensure verification system, if they have successfully completed a peer assistance program for substance use disorder.  

Register today for Pharmacy Day on the Hill (February 25), which is the cornerstone of TPA’s legislative and public policy efforts. It’s a great opportunity to connect with your legislators and advocate for issues important to the profession. 

TPA is in its fourth legislative session with Husch Blackwell Strategies, formerly known as Harris Frazier Government Relations, to assist in carrying out our legislative priorities and response to the urgent issues impacting the profession. Review this week’s general legislative summary from HSB and the current bill tracker, listing all bills that TPA is following on behalf of our members.  

January 28, 2025

With the February 6th bill filing deadline, TPA’s advocacy team has been fine-tuning the language on bills around our legislative and regulatory priorities for 2025. TPA and our bill sponsors will be ready to drop our bills by the deadline and allow the process to begin to move them through the legislative process. While the legislature will be focused on the special session topics, TPA will closely monitor the discussions and politics during the special session and any potential impact on the profession and its priorities.  

TPA Priorities:  340B Program 

Sen. Briggs and Rep. Helton-Haynes will serve as lead sponsors on a bill to add protections on the 340B drug pricing program and prevent pharmaceutical companies from adding additional restrictions to the program. TPA is part of a strong coalition comprised of the Primary Care Association, Tennessee Hospital Association, and various teaching hospitals and other 340B covered entities.  

TPA Priorities:  PBM Reform 

Sen. Reeves and Rep. Brock Martin will serve as lead sponsors on a bill that provides minor amendments to Tennessee’s PBM reform laws focused on easing the burden on pharmacies when submitting external appeals for refills on an approved appeal. In addition, TPA is looking to remove the cap on penalties that TDCI can issue to PBMs for violations of the law. TPA is closely monitoring federal and other state PBM activities that may adjust this priority throughout session. 

TPA Priorities:  Scope and Payment Clean-Up 

Sen. Reeves and Rep. Baum will serve as lead sponsors on a bill to make minor amendments to last year’s scope expansion bill to ensure proper payment of services provided by pharmacists pursuant to last year’s legislation. 

 TPA Priorities:  Right to Know Act Amendment 

Sen. Harshbarger and Rep. Tim Hicks will serve as lead sponsors of a bill to allow healthcare providers to petition their respective regulatory board to remove an Adverse Licensure Action listed in the state’s licensure verification system, if they have successfully completed a peer assistance program for substance use disorder. 

 Register today for Pharmacy Day on the Hill (February 25), which is the cornerstone of TPA’s legislative and public policy efforts. It’s a great opportunity to connect with your legislators and advocate for issues important to the profession. 

 TPA is in its fourth legislative session with Husch Blackwell Strategies, formerly known as Harris Frazier Government Relations, to assist in carrying out our legislative priorities and response to the urgent issues impacting the profession. Review this week’s general legislative summary from HSB and the current bill tracker, listing all bills that TPA is following on behalf of our members. 

January 21, 2025

Last Tuesday, the 114th Tennessee General Assembly gaveled in and convened as legislators returned to the Tennessee State Capitol in Nashville. On January 14, several pharmacists and friends of pharmacy were sworn into key state House and Senate positions. Re-elected incumbents include Senators Ferrell Haile (District 18) and Shane Reeves (District 14), Speaker of the House Cameron Sexton (District 25), and Representative Bryan Terry (District 48). Newly elected officials include pharmacist Senator Bobby Harshbarger (District 4) and Representative Rick Scarbrough (District 33), spouse of pharmacist (Mollie). Senator Randy McNally (District 5) continues as lieutenant governor and speaker of the senate. 

In this first week, committee assignments occurred for both Senate and House. Notably, Senators Haile, Reeves, and Harshbarger were all named to Senate Health Committee. Senators Stevens and Taylor were added to the Senate Commerce Committee. In addition, Representative Scarbrough was added to the House Insurance Committee. Take a look at these assignments to see where your legislator is serving! We strongly encourage all TPA members to reach out now to your elected officials and introduce yourself as a resource on pharmacy and healthcare issues. If you do not know who your legislators are, use the legislator finder tool. 

This past week, TPA met with several legislative leaders to review our priorities, including the 340B program, scope expansion clean-up, PBM reform clean-up, and the Right to Know Act. In the coming weeks, TPA will share additional talking points and bill numbers so you can begin your conversations as our bills move through the process. Some notable dates include: January 27 as Special Session convenes; February 6 as the bill filing deadline for the House; and February 10 as the Governor’s State of the State address. 

TPA enters its fourth legislative session with Husch Blackwell Strategies, formerly known as Harris Frazier Government Relations, to assist in carrying out our legislative priorities and response to the urgent issues impacting the profession. Review this week’s general legislative summary from Harris Frazier and the current bill tracker, listing all bills that TPA is following on behalf of our members.  

 Don’t forget to register for TPA’s Pharmacy Day on the Hill (February 25), which is a great opportunity to meet with your legislators and hear from experts on the issues impacting pharmacy. You, and your relationship with your legislators, are the profession’s most important advocacy asset.  

January 11, 2025

The first session of the 114th Tennessee General Assembly begins today as legislators return to the Tennessee State Capitol in Nashville.  

This week also begins TPA’s focused legislative advocacy efforts at the capitol. Going into our fourth year with the contract lobbyist team at Husch Blackwell Strategies, formerly known as Harris Frazier, TPA will actively work with state policymakers to build consensus for our 2025 legislative and regulatory priorities and positions in hopes for a successful legislative session.  

We strongly encourage all of our members to reach out to your elected officials and introduce yourself as a resource on pharmacy and healthcare issues. If you do not know who your legislators are, use the legislator finder tool. TPA’s Pharmacy Day on the Hill (February 25), which is held separately this year from the TPA Winter Meeting, is also a great opportunity to hear from legislators and experts on the issues impacting pharmacy. You, and your relationship with your legislators, are the profession’s most important advocacy asset.  

Each week throughout the session, TPA will provide updates through the 10 for Tenn e-newsletter as well as a general legislative summary from Husch Blackwell Strategies. TPA will also provide a bill tracker, listing all bills TPA is following on behalf of our members. As many bills haven’t yet been filed yet, this issue is short now but will grow to 80-90 bills throughout the session.  

In addition, watch your inbox for Advocacy Alerts from TPA asking you to take part in a grassroots effort on particular legislation, telling you who to contact and what you need to say. These grassroots efforts are critical to our advocacy efforts. 

**Please note that the TPA membership database now provides members an easier way to verify their state legislators. Be sure to log into the new database today to verify your home address is correct.