House Joint Resolution 120, sponsored by Powers, advocates for the establishment of a voluntary reporting system for Charcot-Marie-Tooth Disease (CMT) in Tennessee. CMT is a prevalent inherited neurological disorder affecting approximately 2,800 individuals in the state. The resolution highlights that the Department of Health already has voluntary reporting systems in place for various health conditions, which means that implementing CMT reporting would not require additional state funding. The accurate enumeration of CMT patients is expected to enhance Tennessee's eligibility for federal research grants and specialized care centers, while also aligning with the state's commitment to efficient healthcare resource allocation.

The resolution encourages the Department of Health to implement this voluntary reporting through existing electronic health record systems and utilize current departmental resources for data collection. It also calls for an annual report to be provided to relevant legislative committees on the progress of this initiative. Importantly, the resolution emphasizes that the voluntary reporting system will not impose any new financial obligations on the state or healthcare providers, thereby ensuring that the initiative is both cost-effective and beneficial for targeted care for CMT patients.