Legislative Information
Each year the State General Assembly, comprising of representatives in the House and senators in the Senate, meet from mid-January to about late April to deliberate issues. These members serve us at the State level and are not to be confused with the individuals who serve us at the Federal level. In Tennessee’s General Assembly much of the work on a bill is done in committee and many bills concerning the “House of Medicine” need to pass through committee prior to getting on the floor for vote. Much of the work ushering, keeping our bills alive and nurturing physician concerns are done by legislative liaisons. They work by testifying for physician’s interests on the hill, and lobbying behind the scene, driving our bills forward.
Conversely, our bills may also meet with resistance from lobbyists representing other interest groups. Not infrequently it may take one year to lay the groundwork for a bill, and with perseverance, finally reap its passage after three or more years of “hammering” away for support while neutralizing the bill’s opponents. This takes time and capital. Do not be fooled into thinking “another physician can take care of these issues while I practice and I do not need to get involved or contribute.”. Nothing could be further from the truth. Your money speaks whether given at the PAC level or given towards individual contributions and handshakes with your representative and senator from your district. For information or to support TMA PAC, visit their website at: TMA PAC
The Tennessee Medical Association serves to support all physicians in Tennessee. There are many issues that unite ALL physicians. Additionally, you would be astonished to find how much influence you actually have as an INDIVIDUAL voice on medical expertise. Many legislators rely on physicians for their understanding of medicine and they listen to you! Contact your state representative or senator and develop a relationship. They value your input!
TMA intentionally forms its annual legislative agenda with the purpose to decrease the overreach of business or government into the practice of medicine. The primary mission on the Hill is to protect and improve the practice of medicine. Many challenges facing medicine today are couched in the rising cost of doing business, reduction in reimbursements and administrative hassles that take time away from patient care. It is no wonder that many physicians are seeking shelter in the form of employment arrangements and possibly a new set of ‘employee issues.’ With these pressures in mind KAM and TMA represent physicians. For more information on TMA Legislative Agenda, visit https://www.tnmed.org/legislative/
Disclaimer: The following links will take you off the KAM website. KAM does not assume responsibility for content of other websites. The enormity of the Web means many excellent sites are invariably left out.
Legislative Sites:
Tennessee Legislature http://www.legislature.state.tn.us/
U.S. House of Representatives http://www.house.gov/
U.S. Senate http://www.senate.gov/
State Links:
Cover Tennessee http://www.covertn.gov/
HIPAA https://www.hhs.gov/hipaa/index.html
Renew Your Professional License Online https://lars.tn.gov/datamart/mainMenu.do;jsessionid=T9w0edCZGruwm8XQ6bBk3Boc
TennCare https://www.tn.gov/tenncare/members-applicants/how-do-i-apply-for-tenncare.html
Tennessee Department of Health http://www.state.tn.us/health/
TN Licensure Verification https://apps.health.tn.gov/Licensure/
TN Department of Health Statistics and Data https://www.tn.gov/health/health-program-areas/statistics.html
TN Department of Health Online Services https://www.tn.gov/health.html
TN Department of Human Services https://www.tn.gov/humanservices.html