[{"_1":2,"_123":-5,"_124":-5},"loaderData",{"_3":4,"_25":26},"root",{"_5":6,"_17":10,"_18":19,"_20":21,"_22":10,"_23":-5,"_24":-5},"user",{"_7":8,"_9":10,"_11":10,"_12":-5,"_13":-5,"_14":15,"_16":-5},"roles",[],"isAuthenticated",false,"isPremium","planName","subscriptionStatus","featureFlags",{},"insightsBudget","isDevelopmentHost","userPreferences",{},"recaptchaSiteKey","6LcvOJcUAAAAAHsB-gPGfGktcRlKpH7OTIU_dMTD","isImpersonating","impersonation","affiliateStatus","routes/v2/article/layout",{"_27":28,"_29":30},"notFound",true,"relatedArticles",[31,75,87,99,111],{"_32":33,"_34":35,"_36":37,"_38":39,"_40":41,"_42":43,"_44":45,"_46":47,"_48":49,"_50":51,"_52":53,"_54":55,"_56":57,"_58":59,"_60":61,"_62":63,"_64":65,"_66":67,"_68":69,"_70":71,"_72":73,"_74":73},"mediaId",6122160,"mediaKeyId","2695666-701d5cca19b3119e207690deeaddf4a7","parentId",2695666,"title","Tennessee Department of Health requests new funding for dental pipeline, cancer screening and rural grants","audioSeconds",3248,"startMs",1734000,"endMs",4982000,"viewUrl","/Search/View?dp=1&key=2695666-701d5cca19b3119e207690deeaddf4a7&start=1734&end=4982","thumbnailUrl","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2695666-701d5cca19b3119e207690deeaddf4a7/thumbnail_1734000.jpg","articleUrl","/articles/6122160/Tennessee/Tennessee-Department-of-Health-requests-new-funding-for-dental-pipeline-cancer-screening-and-rural-grants","mediaUrl","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6122160-e7baecb9e01ce853aae0c0315f18eee8/orig.mp4?Expires=1769969160&Signature=IOgPFkuJilX2JthRarkrHPV9AS5PQo8CtyzuU00DL59eRIpakkNuuuoQitoPP7AzW-sxKNeBNNIVvodfAfG6tkU92hNTKIZBphR2BetNwQMFQUD~-WifYjN5Z7raDlusYqVqxALGqKEwB0xWMHrhLtRFNlgCAocippa6jLlqae1kX~d0u~Ba~yJMhKTXUQ~nhMQhJi1IzSoodn4UhsSbO3nC7d5lGvIzUpWtOS2zXHe-qh~TIcEjxy4di9C1LDzDnLH6Ug2-SWShCCZyR0ORSG6TrHvZxQGQn7o7IEpd0cbCh80dq5QoUb5GiJCDxWevvVy2xJIY2r8Vsq-w80ttDg__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","author","TN State Legislature","date","2025-03-19T00:00:00Z","article","Commissioner Ralph Alvarado presented the Tennessee Department of Health budget and a package of 11 cost increases to the Senate Health and Welfare Committee, saying the proposals aim to expand dental training and access, add lung and colorectal cancer screening for eligible patients, and support rural health grants.

\"We have, a total of 11, cost increases for the upcoming budget year,\" Alvarado told the committee as he opened the department presentation. He called the dental pilot and other rural investments \"working\" initiatives and described measurable expansion in dental education and services.

Alvarado outlined the largest requests first. The department seeks $24,200,000 in nonrecurring state funds for the fourth year of a Healthy Smiles dental pilot designed to expand dental class sizes and clinical rotations into rural and underserved areas. A separate nonrecurring request of $33,375,000 would continue a Lincoln Memorial University (LMU) educational dental safety-net grant that has grown LMU's class to 80 students and funds rotations and operational costs.

Other notable requests include $2,200,000 in recurring funds to add lung and colorectal screening reimbursements for eligible patients (the department estimates this would reach roughly 7,000 Tennesseans annually), $2,600,000 in nonrecurring funds tied to the JUUL settlement for youth vaping prevention, and $500,000 to automate syphilis testing as the department handles an annual increase in tests (64,500 in FY22 and 72,300 in FY23).

Alvarado also described a request to use $50,000,000 in TennCare shared savings to fund competitive nursing-facility grants aimed at workforce development, infrastructure, and capacity improvements for rural facilities. He said the nursing-facility program will be run through a competitive process similar to the earlier ARPA-funded Healthcare Resiliency Program (HRP) and noted prior rounds drew far more applications than available dollars.

The department proposed continuing several rural health initiatives funded from shared savings: a center of excellence (COE) to provide technical assistance to rural communities, planning and implementation grants tied to the COE, an eConsult specialty-care platform and incentives, and rural health training programs (rotations, fellowships, residencies) to increase provider retention in underserved areas. A separate $83,000 request, funded from board fees, supports pharmacy board licensure of ambulatory surgical treatment centers under Public Chapter 714.

Committee members pressed the department on program mechanics. Senator Reeves asked whether the $50 million nursing-facility grants would be distributed competitively; department staff said the program has typically used a competitive grant rubric and that applications historically undersubscribed available awards in some rounds. Reeves asked whether an association applying on behalf of multiple facilities would jeopardize federal match; staff and Senator Watson agreed that such a structure likely would not qualify for federal match.

Committee members also raised questions about weight-loss drugs (GLP-1 class), and Deputy Commissioner John Webb and Chief Medical Officer Tim Jones discussed clinical uses, side effects and the barrier posed by cost and insurance coverage.

Alvarado emphasized the wide scope of services the department provides, noting Tennessee is the only state that operates primary care services directly in local health departments and listing immunizations, WIC, STD/HIV programs, environmental health, maternal-child health, emergency preparedness, and the state lab among its duties.

The committee approved the Department of Health budget by roll call (9 ayes). The budget will move to the next step in the legislative calendar.

","mediaType","Video","parentTitle","Senate Health and Welfare Committee\tMar 19, 2025\t12:34 PM","oneSentenceSummary","Commissioner Ralph Alvarado presented the Tennessee Department of Health budget and a package of 11 cost increases to the Senate Health and Welfare Committee, seeking new nonrecurring and recurring funds for dental training, expanded cancer screening, syphilis testing automation, nursing-facility grants and other rural health programs.","taxTitle","Health and Welfare, Senate, Committees, Legislative, Tennessee","taxId",29601,"location","Tennessee","headline","","shortSummary",{"_32":76,"_34":35,"_36":37,"_38":77,"_40":78,"_42":79,"_44":80,"_46":81,"_48":82,"_50":83,"_52":84,"_54":55,"_56":57,"_58":85,"_60":61,"_62":63,"_64":86,"_66":67,"_68":69,"_70":71,"_72":73,"_74":73},6122156,"Senate Health and Welfare: committee approves multiple bills and sends them to calendar or finance",819,883000,1702000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2695666-701d5cca19b3119e207690deeaddf4a7&start=883&end=1702","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2695666-701d5cca19b3119e207690deeaddf4a7/thumbnail_883000.jpg","/articles/6122156/Tennessee/Senate-Health-and-Welfare-committee-approves-multiple-bills-and-sends-them-to-calendar-or-finance","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6122156-8f255e632b944479d9e6bf6062466039/orig.mp4?Expires=1769969160&Signature=n6FnnsvGpgLoqR9gFV38v-L3qU8ig2IVX4X7hNmFAUuJRZlA6fY4MIdOZOb4K6SGTb6aTAoPRrE~VEnvumxo03MawC~c2gGkQUC7W3EiaP0YCM289IxA67~OceYzhm-Z2w5ddVUQykK7pQtGZLrQIdp3UWnN7DrxfxPXh~Avny9C8BiVyDKwLq6MPKju30veA84O7cdSzl43J8sne2-gB~5CF4bRkvVoKOiM5GpEevoKQXOounrnvw5q1238Tod7UtRfKTFTB1vSU6SotntgKBX5zXTcZVaJTleRi2KmAuTbJK-HrzQF78NcaJdCVjLz4xiqNXHDN1fq6aMTuGk2Gw__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The Senate Health and Welfare Committee considered and approved a series of bills during the hearing. Several measures were passed by roll call and either sent to the legislative calendar or to finance, depending on further fiscal considerations.

Votes at a glance (committee action and disposition):

- Senate Joint Resolution 16 (SJR 16) — resolution encouraging donation of feminine-hygiene products to schools. Approved by roll call (9 ayes). Sent to calendar.

- Senate Bill 789 — modernizes licensing terminology and examination and creates associate licensing language for marriage and family therapists (amendments adopted). Approved by roll call (9 ayes). Sent to calendar.

- Senate Bill 606 — (medical records fee; see separate article for details). Amendment that makes the bill adopted; bill approved by roll call (9 ayes). Sent to calendar.

- Senate Bill 931 (as amended to drafting code 5874) — establishes a permit and labeling regime for cultured protein sold in Tennessee, including a $1,000 annual manufacturer permit and a $2,000 penalty for misbranding; amendment adopted. Approved by roll call (9 ayes). Sent to calendar.

- Senate Bill 871 — directs a Tennessee advisory body to study homelessness and report back; testimony was heard from a private citizen during the hearing. Approved by roll call (9 ayes). Sent to calendar.

- Senate Bill 267 — clarifies licensure for Tennessee collection stations operated by Tennessee medical laboratories (amendment rewrote the bill). Approved by roll call (9 ayes). Sent to calendar.

- Senate Bill 321 — continues an advisory task force to study direct-support staff pay and make recommendations to agencies; approved by roll call (9 ayes). Sent to calendar.

- Senate Bill 1390 — authorizes one additional PACE program in West or Middle Tennessee and an expansion in Hamilton County; referred to finance (committee approved, 9 ayes).

- Senate Bill 644 — allows expanded access to practical-nursing curricula through dual enrollment starting in 10th grade (amendment adopted). Approved by roll call (9 ayes). Sent to calendar.

- Senate Bill 654 — establishes a family-caregiver grant pilot (Caring for Caregivers Act) and was referred to finance (committee approved, 9 ayes).

- Senate Bill 554 — directs the Department of Health to compile information on physician supply and retention and report to the Legislature; approved by roll call (9 ayes). Sent to calendar.

Most roll-call votes recorded the same nine committee members voting yes: Hale, Harshbarger, Hensley, Jackson, Massey, Reeves, Watson, Yarbrough and Chairman Crowe. Where a bill carried a fiscal note or asked for new authorization (for example SB1390 and SB654), the committee forwarded it to the finance committee for further review.

","The Senate Health and Welfare Committee approved a slate of bills and resolutions in a single hearing and sent most measures to the legislative calendar or to finance for fiscal review.",{"_32":88,"_34":35,"_36":37,"_38":89,"_40":90,"_42":91,"_44":92,"_46":93,"_48":94,"_50":95,"_52":96,"_54":55,"_56":57,"_58":97,"_60":61,"_62":63,"_64":98,"_66":67,"_68":69,"_70":71,"_72":73,"_74":73},6122150,"Committee approves $90 flat fee for third-party electronic medical records requests; lawmakers seek clarity on who pays",110,1238000,1348000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2695666-701d5cca19b3119e207690deeaddf4a7&start=1238&end=1348","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2695666-701d5cca19b3119e207690deeaddf4a7/thumbnail_1238000.jpg","/articles/6122150/Tennessee/Committee-approves-90-flat-fee-for-third-party-electronic-medical-records-requests-lawmakers-seek-clarity-on-who-pays","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6122150-eaaadae246e23f68094d8367bd686c8e/orig.mp4?Expires=1769969160&Signature=HUA6au9iokxpMXStHbNIlhSbkaVZVF2UBaobAin8yu4mCK9B5eAbDHAbyquVlQXuoafZdhZZ5EImX45ZdRmSVNmJrj381nrMwRDHgil6HfArp39aUYEos1hjpqMspn0YPPvAD-UP5CAkM4jBTzpOtRRGYfDPC2um8-nqehu1rfK794GS1KiC4j8pttid5DnE7dc4kVJZMrfBGmaYRbtMafnk0qHjtZYaVjZ~uVkgaLFUqwf0HI-OKH1AWHwh0bB3scmi-JFlMVKePgIeuzvYGIRDrQiw4PcQKPi6a~FmapO1TYvG2kd~eNXXbS251qqfC7tazCdDiWMGOBpkYGoaJg__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Senate Bill 606 returned to the Health and Welfare Committee with an amendment described as \"the amendment that makes the bill.\" The amended measure creates a flat $90 charge for requests for electronic medical records made to a health-care facility; paper reproduction fees and an existing $20 cap for Social Security/disability cases remain in place.

Sponsor Senator Bailey told the committee the amendment establishes a $90 flat rate for electronic medical records requested from a health-care facility and that the per-page rate still applies to paper records. \"With the amendment, it establishes a flat rate of $90 for medical electronic records that's requested from a health care facility,\" the sponsor said.

Senator Hensley pressed staff and the sponsor on whether the $90 charge was a maximum or a flat fee even for small requests. \"Well, they only pay $20 so but the other is a flat fee for $90 even if you only have 2 or 3 pages?\" Hensley asked. Department witnesses clarified the $90 flat fee applies to third parties requesting electronic records (for example, insurers or attorneys), while fee caps for Social Security and disability-related records continue to be $20. The department said patients frequently pay lower or different fees and that the $90 charge targets nonpatient requesters.

Committee members had the option of hearing testimony but took none after discussion. The committee adopted the amendment and approved the bill by roll call (9 ayes). The bill will go to the calendar.

","Senate Bill 606, amended, sets a $90 flat fee for electronic medical-record requests made to health-care facilities by third parties and preserves existing caps and per-page charges for paper records.",{"_32":100,"_34":35,"_36":37,"_38":101,"_40":102,"_42":103,"_44":104,"_46":105,"_48":106,"_50":107,"_52":108,"_54":55,"_56":57,"_58":109,"_60":61,"_62":63,"_64":110,"_66":67,"_68":69,"_70":71,"_72":73,"_74":73},6122141,"Citizen testimony prompts passage of homelessness study bill; committee sends TACIR report request to calendar",283,4957000,5240000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2695666-701d5cca19b3119e207690deeaddf4a7&start=4957&end=5240","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2695666-701d5cca19b3119e207690deeaddf4a7/thumbnail_4957000.jpg","/articles/6122141/Tennessee/Citizen-testimony-prompts-passage-of-homelessness-study-bill-committee-sends-TACIR-report-request-to-calendar","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6122141-f73a798268c4785a688fdd94729fed29/orig.mp4?Expires=1769969160&Signature=cUHyHYIsLrPLWc0JO7R5Csjn-Il5mQkUHoM5GXVfaiiDahHiiT-VeaknBPe8SW4ryG97ZXW8ZfOiyJqNule1i8GvR8eOtfmmlWorC0qfmzGoHK0-bfu5XWyh5bpWHDVrRFHuEhSEfWBjTsh12hPsRQT9rUaFZS5K6Bummt~fg9Qkx0fkOScmSYs~rriST3Ko6EaNFXEqbJjV~qac8YNRQk4wKX2WYQGK1Gtolum7OUYknQtDiC6wLTDIKMQrIJ94c87mxGZLqCepU3GnXnROKaj6y7RdPg112RwRBA2u8QHGVgl~NcnjUaZqOp0RboO~13cAHMDTpGclDs5maQ99lw__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Senate Bill 871 requires the Tennessee advisory commission on intergovernmental relations (TACIR) to study the state's continuum of care for people experiencing homelessness and to submit recommendations to the General Assembly. Sponsor Senator Hensley told the committee the study will use existing resources and produce a report for lawmakers.

The committee heard a brief public comment from Bethany Cherino, who described persistent barriers she has encountered while trying to find stable housing and services for people who are homeless. \"I'm trying to be a voice for those who don't have a voice,\" Cherino said. She described local school-system counts and McKinney-Vento identifications: \"In Murray County we have 86 children who are in public school, who are identified as homeless,\" she told the committee, and urged more coordinated state action.

Senator Hensley said the bill would ask TACIR to use existing staff to prepare recommendations and that the committee could use the report to inform future legislation. The committee adopted the date amendment, accepted the testimony, and approved the bill by roll call (9 ayes); the bill goes to the calendar.

","Senate Bill 871 tasks the Tennessee advisory commission on intergovernmental relations (TACIR) with studying homelessness and making recommendations to the General Assembly; the committee heard brief public testimony from a citizen describing barriers to housing and service access.",{"_32":112,"_34":35,"_36":37,"_38":113,"_40":114,"_42":115,"_44":116,"_46":117,"_48":118,"_50":119,"_52":120,"_54":55,"_56":57,"_58":121,"_60":61,"_62":63,"_64":122,"_66":67,"_68":69,"_70":71,"_72":73,"_74":73},6122145,"Committee approves permit and labeling rules for cultured (lab-grown) protein; penalty tied to misbranding",187,1473000,1660000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2695666-701d5cca19b3119e207690deeaddf4a7&start=1473&end=1660","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2695666-701d5cca19b3119e207690deeaddf4a7/thumbnail_1473000.jpg","/articles/6122145/Tennessee/Committee-approves-permit-and-labeling-rules-for-cultured-lab-grown-protein-penalty-tied-to-misbranding","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6122145-b5e25ae18d62043d0b50a991de7dcfac/orig.mp4?Expires=1769969160&Signature=omMh~jjZ7eYq8PTGhkzj8smKi8u1FD97c2DuyKuDoSJtJqS0QFDguuFECBWqXZn8uZctgMA8HpZBkBoQrnYCqnkPX0en8-oRwsawumNUPwQPhcZTQY7qZ9gzAQoFY1-JgRkE6IWKRivg6BFtCbe6zJNFuK3IXg39Z64j2wLSunGXD2teO2GapRPX5ke8M0oFr0EO51C-l-aANUONJUTPn4DVMGwDwCbsjm0Z5YJaiqV70FC6ZJrBfJW~vpP0cfXkI0HBiQGZj9w-hLvxyqKEuG0N3oomv02DEkH2KKesztnce~svRX3KbxXvh8SjHz~0UGk7pJl4Mu14Jk8vHLYX5g__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Senate Bill 931 (amended, drafting code 5874) would require manufacturers of cultured protein—sometimes described as lab-grown meat—to obtain an annual $1,000 permit from the Department of Agriculture before sale in Tennessee, and would bar labeling the product as \"meat.\" The sponsor, Senator Rose, told the committee the bill does not ban cultured protein; instead it creates a permit system and a labeling requirement.

\"Before this product can be sold in Tennessee, an annual permit of $1,000 must be obtained by the manufacturer. Additionally, this product cannot be labeled meat. Any product that is mislabeled will accrue a fine of $2,000 per package,\" Rose said, describing the sponsor's talking points from the House sponsor.

Senator Yarbrough asked how the $2,000 penalty compares to other fines in state law and whether approved products already on the market would have to change branding. Rose replied the bill would require labeling that the product \"is not meat\" and that fines would apply if products were mislabeled. Senator Hale clarified the bill's language to say the fine applies \"for each product misbranded rather than each package.\"

The committee adopted the amendment, voted to advance the bill by roll call (9 ayes), and sent the measure to the calendar.

","Senate Bill 931 creates an annual $1,000 manufacturer permit for cultured protein and a $2,000 penalty for misbranding; sponsor said the bill does not ban the product but requires labeling that makes clear the product \"is not meat.\" Senators asked about the scope of the fine and the bill's language was clarified to apply per misbranded product.","actionData","errors"]

Article not found

Tennessee Department of Health requests new funding for dental pipeline, cancer screening and rural grants

Senate Health and Welfare: committee approves multiple bills and sends them to calendar or finance

Committee approves $90 flat fee for third-party electronic medical records requests; lawmakers seek clarity on who pays

Citizen testimony prompts passage of homelessness study bill; committee sends TACIR report request to calendar

Committee approves permit and labeling rules for cultured (lab-grown) protein; penalty tied to misbranding