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Chairman Ryan Williams urges higher TennCare provider rates; HB 2046 moves to full insurance
Summary
Chairman Ryan Williams urged the subcommittee to increase TennCare reimbursement rates for physicians and advanced practitioners, citing a longstanding gap with Medicare and commercial payers; the committee voted 5–0 to advance HB 2046.
Chairman Ryan Williams presented House Bill 2046, arguing TennCare reimbursement rates for physicians, physician assistants and advanced practice nurses remain well below Medicare and commercial payers and that the gap harms rural primary care, behavioral health and maternal services. Williams said the bill would direct revenues generated by the MCO tax and hospital-directed payment program toward increasing provider rates. "Physician assistants and advanced practice nurses remain significantly below those of Medicare and commercial payers," he said during his presentation.
Members from across the committee expressed support for addressing the payment gap, citing workforce and access challenges in rural communities. The clerk announced the vote tally as "5 ayes and no nays," and HB 2046 was advanced to the full insurance committee. Committee members did not record amendments on the subcommittee floor during this item.
