Government Affairs

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The primary purpose of the TMA Government Affairs Division is to coordinate the association’s legislative efforts with both the State Legislative and Executive branches.  The Tennessee General Assembly is a part time legislative body that meets yearly beginning the 2nd Tuesday in January and remains in session for approximately five months. 

All major legislative decisions – from establishing TMA’s annual legislative package to determining the TMA position on bills that are filed by others – are made by the TMA Committee on Legislation,  comprised of a physician member from each of Tennessee’s nine Congressional Districts, the TMA Journal Editor (ex officio); and representatives of the TMA Alliance (TMAA) and the Tennessee Medical Group Management Association (TMGMA). 

A legislative session lasts for two years. More than 2,000 bills are filed annually with around 300 of those affecting  medicine.  The Government Affairs staff serves as the physicians’ watchdog to identify and educate lawmakers on the consequences, both positive and negative, of a particular bill.  

TMA staff also educates its members on legislation so physicians can speak with their lawmakers to help them understand how a bill will impact their patients, physicians and health care in their community.

The division also works directly with lawmakers at the federal level in collaboration with the AMA Government Affairs Team.   

  • First Tennessee
  • Doctors Access
  • Blue Cross Blue Shield(2)
  • Lattimore Black Morgan and Cain
  • SVMIC