Bill > SB0853

This bill amends the Tennessee Healthcare Quality and Access Act of 2025, primarily focusing on modifying the state's certificate of need (CON) regulations. The bill narrows the definition of "healthcare institution" to specifically mean nursing homes, and modifies the rules for obtaining and maintaining certificates of need. Key provisions include allowing nursing homes to increase their licensed beds by up to 10 beds or 10% of capacity once every three years without a CON, streamlining the application process for renewing hospital licenses in certain rural or economically distressed counties, and limiting the commission's ongoing oversight of CON-issued healthcare institutions. The bill also removes several references to CON requirements in various sections of Tennessee Code, effectively reducing regulatory barriers for healthcare facilities. Notably, the bill includes a phased implementation, with most changes taking effect on June 30, 2025, and provides specific exemptions for state veterans' homes. The overall intent appears to be simplifying healthcare facility expansion and licensing processes, particularly in underserved or rural areas of Tennessee.

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https://wapp.capitol.tn.gov/apps/Billinfo/default.aspx?BillNumber=SB0853&ga=114