Bill > SB0584

This bill establishes a statewide strategic essential buffer stock of medicines, vaccines, and medical supplies to help Tennessee prepare for public health emergencies, natural disasters, and mass casualty events. The Tennessee Department of Health, in consultation with the Tennessee Emergency Management Agency (TEMA), will develop and maintain this stockpile, which includes provisions for procuring, managing, and distributing critical medical resources. The bill defines key terms like "essential buffer stock" and "natural disaster," and allows the department to contract with private entities to manage and store these supplies through a "virtually sequestered buffer stock" approach. The commissioner of health must conduct detailed demand planning and modeling to determine the types and quantities of supplies needed, with special consideration for rural and medically underserved areas. The bill prioritizes distribution based on factors such as the number of rural residents, medically underserved population, and local infection or hospitalization rates. Additionally, the bill requires an annual report to be submitted to legislative clerks by January 15th each year, detailing the stockpile's inventory, usage, contracts, and distribution plans, with the goal of ensuring Tennessee's healthcare system can effectively respond to emergencies.

Health and Social Services

https://wapp.capitol.tn.gov/apps/Billinfo/default.aspx?BillNumber=SB0584&ga=114