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SB0316 • 2026

TennCare

AN ACT to amend Tennessee Code Annotated, Title 71, relative to medical assistance.

Active

The official status still shows this bill as active or still awaiting another formal step.

Sponsor
Yarbro, Salinas
Last action
2025-02-12
Official status
Passed on Second Consideration, refer to Senate Health and Welfare Committee
Effective date
Not listed

Plain English Breakdown

The bill summary does not provide information on how this change will affect individuals using TennCare, so it is speculative to include such claims.

TennCare Changes

This bill removes the requirement for the governor to get permission from the general assembly before making decisions about expanding TennCare.

What This Bill Does

  • Removes a rule that says the governor needs approval from the Tennessee General Assembly before deciding to expand TennCare.

Who It Names or Affects

  • The governor

Terms To Know

TennCare
A state program that helps people get health care when they can't afford it.
General Assembly
The group of elected officials who make laws in Tennessee.

Limits and Unknowns

  • This bill is still being considered by the Senate Health and Welfare Committee.
  • It's not clear how this change will affect the number of people getting help from TennCare.

Bill History

  1. 2026-02-17 Tennessee General Assembly

    Taken off notice for cal in s/c Tenncare Subcommittee of Insurance Committee

  2. 2026-02-11 Tennessee General Assembly

    Placed on s/c cal Tenncare Subcommittee for 2/17/2026

  3. 2026-02-03 Tennessee General Assembly

    Action Def. in s/c Tenncare Subcommittee to 2/17/2026

  4. 2026-01-28 Tennessee General Assembly

    Placed on s/c cal Tenncare Subcommittee for 2/3/2026

  5. 2026-01-23 Tennessee General Assembly

    Meeting Canceled

  6. 2026-01-21 Tennessee General Assembly

    Placed on s/c cal Tenncare Subcommittee for 1/27/2026

  7. 2025-03-18 Tennessee General Assembly

    Action Def. in s/c Tenncare Subcommittee to First Calendar of 2026

  8. 2025-03-12 Tennessee General Assembly

    Placed on s/c cal Tenncare Subcommittee for 3/18/2025

  9. 2025-02-12 Tennessee General Assembly

    Passed on Second Consideration, refer to Senate Health and Welfare Committee

  10. 2025-02-11 Tennessee General Assembly

    Assigned to s/c Tenncare Subcommittee

  11. 2025-02-10 Tennessee General Assembly

    Introduced, Passed on First Consideration

  12. 2025-02-10 Tennessee General Assembly

    P2C, ref. to Insurance Committee

  13. 2025-02-06 Tennessee General Assembly

    Intro., P1C.

  14. 2025-02-05 Tennessee General Assembly

    Filed for introduction

  15. 2025-01-27 Tennessee General Assembly

    Filed for introduction

Official Summary Text

Abstract summarizes the bill.

Current Bill Text

Read the full stored bill text 
HOUSE BILL 1104
By Salinas

SENATE BILL 316
By Yarbro

SB0316
000302
- 1 -

AN ACT to amend Tennessee Code Annotated, Title 71,
relative to medical assistance.

BE IT ENACTED BY THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF THE STATE OF TENNESSEE:
SECTION 1. Tennessee Code Annotated, Section 71-5-126, is amended by deleting the
section.
SECTION 2. This act takes effect upon becoming a law, the public welfare requiring it.