Over the weekend, the Board finalized and approved the legislative priorities for the first session of the 114th General Assembly.

The legislative agenda includes: 

• Increasing access to care for TennCare patients
• Streamline notification requirements for prior authorization
• Clarify medically necessary procedures in which a physician may lawfully terminate pregnancies to save the life and health of the mother

Association and physician leaders also engaged in activities related to TMA’s strategic plan, including:

• Hearing new data on physician employment trends in Tennessee and nationwide and discussing its impact on the association’s value proposition
• Discussing how to recruit and retain physicians in Tennessee by expanding residency slots and establishing a resident job board 
• Evaluating methods to engage more members on policy discussions and development by creating opportunities for input and information sharing
• Implementing a research project to identify how to improve communication with existing members and grow membership in untapped markets

In addition, the Board reviewed resolutions referred from the House of Delegates with significant discussion surrounding the Corporate Practice of Medicine Doctrine. Reports will be referred back to the policy-making body at its next convening in May 2025. 

The next Board of Trustees meeting is slated to take place in November at the TMA headquarters in Nashville. For questions or more information, reach out to TMA's Director of Executive Services and Governance, Amy Campoli, at amy.campoli@tnmed.org.