Get Full Government Meeting Transcripts, Videos, & Alerts Forever!
Get email alerts on the TennCare Policy Council topic
No spam. Unsubscribe anytime.
Senate panel advances bill to add TennCare and MCO seats to disability and aging policy council
Summary
The Senate Health Committee voted to advance SB2167, which adds four seats—including two chosen by TennCare—to the Department of Disability and Aging's policy council; sponsor says the change reflects TennCare's role in funding services for people with intellectual and developmental disabilities.
Senate Health Committee members voted to advance Senate Bill 2167 on a voice vote with the amendment and sent the measure to the calendar. The legislation, presented by Senator Yeager, would expand the Department of Disability and Aging policy council by adding four members—two positions specifically representing TennCare and two representing managed care organizations selected by TennCare.
"The bill adds 4 new positions to the policy council ... 2 positions will come from TennCare ... and 2 positions will be representing managed care organizations," Senator Yeager said, arguing that including TennCare on the panel better reflects its role in funding services for Tennesseans with intellectual and developmental disabilities.
Senator Massey, who said he serves on the council, supported the change and noted the practical benefit of having TennCare representatives available to answer questions and provide context during council deliberations. Yeager closed by appealing to the committee’s sense of duty to “stand and speak for those who can’t speak for themselves.”
The committee applied amendment drafting code 13459 to the bill; members described the amendment as making technical corrections and clarifying membership language. After a brief discussion, the committee recorded 8 ayes and moved the bill forward.
The measure now goes to the Senate calendar for further consideration.
