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House passes bill allowing annual pharmacy pick‑up of contraception for insured patients
Summary
The Tennessee House passed HB169 to let people obtain an annual supply of contraceptives at pharmacies under private insurance; sponsor and supporters said it clarifies access without using public funds, and members adopted an amendment moving the effective date.
Representative Hilton Haynes renewed her motion to pass House Bill 169 on third and final consideration after the House adopted an amendment changing the bill's effective date. "All this bill does, insurance companies are already required to provide coverage for birth control... This bill would merely allow a person to pick up an annual supply at the pharmacy so they don't have to go every back every 1 to 3 months," Representative Hilton Haynes said.
Members asked whether the measure would allow public funds to be used for morning‑after pills or IUDs. "No," the sponsor replied when asked whether the bill expands public funding for those methods. Representative Fred and Representative Fritz both expressed questions and concerns about definitions and funding; the sponsor responded that HB169 addresses private insurance practice and does not change public‑funding rules. After recorded voting, the clerk announced the bill had received a constitutional majority and the presiding officer declared HB169 passed.
The House adopted Amendment 2, which altered the bill's effective date to July 1, 2027. The sponsor framed the bill as aligning pharmacy practice with existing insurer coverage, allowing individuals to pick up an annual supply for convenience. Next steps: the bill will proceed as enacted and be transmitted according to legislative process.
