In a surprise announcement on Thursday, Republican Randy McNally announced that he will not run for re-election after nearly fifty years in the Tennessee General Assembly and a decade as Speaker of the Senate.  The Senate Speaker also carries the title of Lieutenant Governor. An Oak Ridge pharmacist, he was first elected to the House in 1978 and moved to the Senate in 1986. He was elected Speaker in 2017. 

McNally’s retirement opens the door to a potential contentious race for Senate Speaker in 2027. Senate Majority Leader Jack Johnson (R-Franklin) and Senate Commerce and Labor Committee Chair Paul Bailey (R-Sparta) are considered leading candidates. Senate Speaker Pro Tem Ferrell Haile (R-Gallatin) has also been mentioned as a potential successor. 

TMA Bills on Insurance Reform and TennCare Provider Rate Increases to Be Heard in Committee

Two of TMA’s bills are set to be heard in Senate Commerce and Labor Committee on Tuesday, March 3.

There were three bills this session that dealt with insurance reform and the practice by health insurers of automatically downcoding claims. This week, TMA’s bill and the other two were combined to advance as one. The bill is now numbered SB2155/HB2619.

The bill makes comprehensive changes to various health insurance statutes to ensure companies fairly and transparently adjudicate claims. It would expand prior authorization approval for treatment of a chronic condition from the current 6 months to 12 months. It would also prohibit a health insurance entity from automatically downcoding a claim submitted by a provider unless there is first a review of the patient’s medical record. 

TMA’s bill for TennCare Provider Rate Increases, SB2080/HB2046, would increase reimbursement rates to Medicare levels in three service areas: primary care and behavioral health, maternal care, and anesthesia. TennCare’s reimbursement rates to physicians, physician assistants, and advance practice registered nurses remain significantly below those of Medicare and commercial payers, creating a persistent payment gap that threatens access to care across Tennessee. This bill is also expected to be heard in the House TennCare Subcommittee on Tuesday.

Doctors’ Day on The Hill

TMA’s annual policy briefing and lobby day is next Tuesday, March 3. Those wishing to attend should register by the deadline TODAY, Feb. 27 at 5:00pm CT.

In preparation for Capitol Hill advocacy, TMA has compiled all Day on the Hill resources into an online toolkit where members can access helpful information ahead of the event. This includes the schedule for the day, maps of the Cordell Hull Building, talking points, lobbying tips, frequently asked questions and more. Members are encouraged to review these materials ahead of time, in addition to downloading the Tennessee General Assembly app.

Registrants will receive their appointment schedules from either TMA or their regional county medical society staff by email on Monday.

SB2155 is set to be heard in the Senate Commerce and Labor Committee on Tuesday 3/3. This is a major hurdle and we need your help! If your State Senator is on this Committee, please send them a message. To take action, click the button below.