Senate Bill 321 establishes an advisory task force on state reimbursement rates, aimed at making recommendations for annual adjustments to reimbursement rates for agencies providing healthcare services in Tennessee. The task force will consist of six appointed members from the legislature, representing different health-related professions, along with several ex officio non-voting members from relevant state departments. The task force is tasked with ensuring that reimbursement rates are adequate to support essential staff salaries and administrative costs, as well as addressing the healthcare workforce shortage. The commissioner of labor and workforce development will serve as the chair and will convene the first meeting.

Additionally, the bill amends Tennessee Code Annotated to include the advisory task force in the list of state entities. The task force is required to submit annual recommendations to relevant state officials and agencies by August 1 each year, starting in 2026. The act will take effect immediately for the purpose of appointing members, while other provisions will take effect on July 1, 2025.

Statutes affected:
Introduced: 4-29-248(a), 4-29-248