Tennessee House Bill HB0644

Tennessee 2025-2026 Regular Session

• Introduced: 2/3/25
• Refer: 3/12/25

Caption

AN ACT to amend Tennessee Code Annotated, Title 29; Title 33; Title 53; Title 56; Title 63 and Title 68, relative to advanced practice nursing.

Impact

The implications of HB 0644 are significant in the context of healthcare provision in Tennessee. By mandating hospitals to provide data on APRN employment, the bill aims to improve workforce statistics, which can inform state policies and address nursing shortages. Ensuring a robust APRN workforce is crucial for enhancing patient care, particularly in underserved areas where healthcare access is limited. Furthermore, the requirement for reporting may encourage better integration of APRNs within hospital systems, fostering collaborative practices that can lead to improved health outcomes for patients.

Summary

House Bill 0644 aims to amend various sections of the Tennessee Code Annotated pertaining to advanced practice nursing. The primary focus of the bill is to establish a requirement for hospitals licensed by the health facilities commission or the department of mental health and substance abuse services to report annually to the department of health. The reports must include the number of advanced practice registered nurses (APRNs) employed by the hospital on a monthly basis. This legislative move seeks to enhance the state's understanding of the APRN workforce and support future healthcare planning and resource allocation.

Contention

While the bill primarily focuses on data collection for better healthcare management, there may be concerns about the administrative burden it places on hospitals. Some hospital administrators may argue that the requirement could divert resources away from patient care towards compliance with new regulations. Additionally, discussions may arise regarding how the collected data will be used by the state, especially considering issues of privacy and the potential for increased scrutiny of workforce practices. These concerns highlight the need for clear communication from state authorities on the purpose and benefits of such reporting requirements.