From the TNCEP Advocacy Committee Chair
2025 Legislative Recap: Protecting Our Practice
Jerry Hagler, MD
This year’s legislative session brought high-stakes challenges and meaningful victories for emergency physicians in Tennessee. Following the abrupt shutdown of American Physician Partners (APP) in late2023—which disrupted care in several hospitals—the long-standing Tennessee Corporate Practice Act (CPA) faced renewed scrutiny. Historically, the CPA limited direct hospital employment of emergency physicians, safeguarding clinical independence.
In response to hospital organizations lobbying to overturn the CPA, TNCEP partnered with the Tennessee Radiological Society and the Tennessee Society of Anesthesiologists to craft compromise legislation. Effective July 1, 2025, hospitals in counties with fewer than 105,000 residents(per the 2020 Census) and dedicated children’s hospitals statewide may now directly employ emergency physicians, anesthesiologists, radiologists, and pathologists. Importantly, the law mandates that employers must noti nterfere with appropriate medical decision-making.
We also saw progress in refining Tennessee’s Criminal Abortion Statute (TCA 39-15-213), which was triggered by the U.S. Supreme Court’s Dobbs decision. In 2023, lawmakers excluded ectopic and molar pregnancies from prosecution. This year, additional exceptions were added for serious maternal health conditions—including previable PPROM, inevitable abortion, severe preeclampsia, Mirror syndrome, and severe infections—clarifying when termination is legally permitted to protect the mother’s health.
Legislative Priorities for 2025–2026
As we look forward, TNCEP is committed to advocating for the following:
- Fair Reimbursement & Accountability
- Monitor commercial insurers for downcoding, unjust denials, and misuse of the No Surprises Act arbitration process.
- Watch for unfair Tenn Care practices and funding cuts linked to the 2025 federal “Big Beautiful Bill.”
- Ensure physician pay remains aligned with fair market value as hospitals shift to direct employment models.
- Physician Leadership in Emergency Care
- Defend the emergency physician’s role as team leader, particularly in the face of expanding non-physician provider scope.
- Clinical Autonomy
- Prevent hospitals from interfering in diagnostic or therapeutic decisions, especially when physicians are directly employed.
- Fighting ED Boarding
- Support efforts to reduce ED boarding, aligning with CMS 2025 emergency department metrics and national benchmarks.
Join the TNCEP Advocacy Committee
There’s never been a more critical time to get involved in advocacy. We encourage all members—especially residents and early-career physicians—to join our Advocacy Committee. You’ll have the opportunity to help shape our legislative platform, engage with lawmakers, and protect the future of emergency medicine in Tennessee. Use the link below to sign up.
Why TEMPAC Matters
TEMPAC, our political action committee, plays a vital role in this work. In the 2024 election cycle, TEMPAC contributed $16,750 to 28 state legislative candidates, achieving a 100% win rate. These relationships are essential for advancing legislation that protects our patients and profession.
Final Thoughts
The challenges of 2025 remind us that our work doesn’t stop at the bedside. We must continue to advocate for the integrity of our practice and the safety of our patients. TNCEP’s legislative efforts are only as strong as the members who support them. Join us—and be part of the solution.
Tennessee Legislature Home Page
engagED – State Advocacy Network