State awarded rural health funds; Fair View leaders announce emergency care plans

Sen. Jack Johnson told the audience that Tennessee received an initial $27 million award under the federal rural health transformation program and a further $107 million in the first year, and he said the state and administration are discussing how to allocate those funds to expand access in rural communities. "We were awarded in the first year $27 million...we were awarded an additional $107 million in the first year," Johnson said, noting questions remain about federal metrics and potential clawbacks if conditions are not met.

Johnson and others discussed policy options to increase access, including rolling back certain certificate-of-need requirements in limited cases and expanding scope-of-practice for nurse practitioners, physician assistants and pharmacists to provide more local care. Panelists stressed the need to understand federal conditions attached to the grants before committing to long-term actions.

During the audience Q&A session, Patty Carol announced local plans in Fair View: "Ascension actually was the first person that's sat down, did a needs assessment in our community. They are actually going to bring a medical campus. They have partnered with Dixon Medical. So we are going to have specialty physicians out in our community and it's going to be great." She added that HCA is preparing to apply for a certificate of need for services in the area.

What happens next: lawmakers said the administration and General Assembly will refine how to spend grant funds and consider legislative changes tied to certificate-of-need rules and provider scope of practice; local healthcare providers will proceed with certificate-of-need applications as required.