Panel approves bill requiring TennCare to report psychotropic prescriptions biannually

The Insurance Committee approved House Bill 2,389 on March 5, directing TennCare to compile and publish a biannual report on psychotropic medications prescribed in Tennessee. Sponsor remarks said the report would make existing data produced via open records more accessible to legislators and the public. The committee voted to attach amendment 13,445 by voice and later approved the amended bill, which now moves to the Government Operations Committee.

Chairman Martin described the bill’s purpose: "This piece of legislation establishes a biannual report produced by TennCare on the amount of psychotropic medications prescribed in Tennessee," he said. The sponsor thanked TennCare, the Department of Children’s Services and the Department of Health for assistance drafting workable language. During remarks the sponsor cited a spending figure that is unclear in the transcript: "we are spending over 480,000,000,000 800 $480,000,000 on these medications in the TennCare world." The transcript is garbled at that line; the committee did not provide a corrected fiscal estimate during the session.

Members asked which drug categories would be included; the sponsor enumerated antipsychotics, antidepressants, agents for mania, antianxiety agents, psychomotor stimulants and hypnotics. One member expressed concern that publishing the data could contribute to stigma; sponsors and the chair said the intent is transparency to improve care and ensure appropriate use. The amendment was attached by voice vote (ayes recorded) and the amended bill passed and was sent to Government Operations.