NASHVILLE, TENN. —The legislative offices of the Cordell Hull building were filled with white coats on Tuesday, March 5 as more than 150 physicians and healthcare advocates gathered in Nashville to bring the voice of medicine to state lawmakers at the Tennessee Medical Association’s (TMA) Day on the Hill. 

This annual event brings together practicing and retired physicians, residents and students from multiple specialties and geographic locations throughout the state to educate and advocate before members of the Tennessee General Assembly. Participants attended committee hearings and held individual and group meetings with nearly 80 legislative offices.

Physicians-in-training also received a special presentation from Sen. Heidi Campbell (D-Nashville), who spoke about the importance of getting involved in legislative advocacy on behalf of the medical profession. As a daughter of a cardiologist and sister to a urologist and ob-gyn, Sen. Campbell shared her unique perspective on the intersection of medicine and politics.

TMA’s top legislative priorities for the second session of the 113th General Assembly includes Scope of Practice, Physician Wellness, Dr. Benjamin Mauck Act, and Insurer Clawbacks. Attendees had the opportunity to lobby legislators on each bill and observe one being passed out the Senate Commerce & Labor Committee unanimously. 

The Physician Wellness proposal (SB734), sponsored by TMA member and Knoxville Republican Sen. Richard Briggs, MD, would make treatment for workplace burnout confidential for purposes of provider credentialing, licensing, and pre-employment interviews. The measure comes as nearly 63% of practicing physicians report symptoms of burnout, according to a 2021 study co-authored by the American Medical Association. 

In addition to TMA’s priority issues, physicians lobbied in favor of establishing a state licensure process for certified anesthesiology assistants (SB453/HB1146) and in opposition to eliminating physician oversight of psychiatric nurse practitioners (SB2135/ HB2727). 

In the 2023-2024 sessions, TMA has reviewed over 3,700 bills. The advocacy team is currently monitoring roughly 660 bills on a range of healthcare issues. Read more about TMA’s legislative priorities at tnmed.org/legislative.

The Tennessee Medical Association is a nonprofit professional organization for Tennessee physicians. TMA represents more than 10,000 Tennessee physicians and physicians-in-training. The organization advocates for public policies, laws and rules that promote healthcare safety and quality for all Tennesseans and improve the nonclinical aspects of practicing medicine. Learn more at tnmed.org.

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