Tennessee Senate Bill SB2667

Tennessee 2025-2026 Regular Session

• Introduced: 2/2/26

Caption

AN ACT to amend Tennessee Code Annotated, Title 63 and Title 68, relative to health care.

Impact

If passed, SB2667 could significantly impact healthcare delivery in Tennessee by enabling a new tier of practitioners who can provide medical services while working collaboratively with licensed physicians. This could potentially alleviate some burdens on existing healthcare professionals and improve access to care, especially in underserved areas. The bill reflects a growing recognition of the necessity for flexible pathways into the medical profession that cater to the evolving healthcare landscape and address physician shortages.

Summary

Senate Bill 2667 aims to amend the Tennessee Code Annotated, specifically Title 63 and Title 68, with a focus on healthcare provisions. The bill mandates the Department of Health to legally evaluate and report on the feasibility of establishing a new graduate physician licensure program. This program would provide opportunities for individuals who have completed medical education from allopathic medical schools but have not yet undergone accredited residency training. The intent behind this legislation is to address healthcare service shortages and innovate medical practice paths by allowing these graduates to work under the supervision of licensed physicians.

Contention

As is often the case with healthcare reforms, there may be opposition regarding the safety and efficacy of allowing graduate physicians to practice without completing traditional residency programs. Opponents might argue that such changes could compromise patient safety or dilute the quality of care. Furthermore, discussions surrounding the supervision agreements and the framework governing these relationships may also be points of contention, particularly regarding how oversight and accountability will be ensured to protect patient welfare.