The Health Subcommittee of the Tennessee State Legislature convened on February 19, 2025, to discuss several key pieces of legislation aimed at improving health care access and emergency response in schools.

The meeting began with a focus on House Bill 760, which proposes that schools maintain an emergency stock of inhalers. This legislation is particularly significant as approximately 10 percent of children suffer from asthma, often without prior diagnosis. Currently, schools can stock inhalers only for students with an asthma action plan. The bill aims to extend this provision to include students who may not yet be diagnosed or who forget their inhalers.

During the discussion, Representative McKenzie raised a question regarding whether the bill would allow teachers to carry inhalers on field trips, highlighting the need for clarity on this issue. Chairman Darby acknowledged the importance of training staff on proper inhaler use and committed to reviewing the bill for potential amendments. Other committee members, including Chairman Terry and Representative Hicks, expressed personal experiences with asthma, emphasizing the necessity of the bill for ensuring children's safety during asthma attacks. The committee voted unanimously in favor of House Bill 760, allowing it to advance to the full health committee.

Next on the agenda was House Bill 496, presented by Chairman Reedy. This bill seeks to increase the disability onset age for the Achieving a Better Life Experience (ABLE) program from 26 to 46 years. The change is intended to keep Tennessee compliant with federal law and maintain the program's tax-qualified status. The committee voted in favor of this bill, which will also move forward for further consideration.

The subcommittee then reviewed House Joint Resolution 120, introduced by Representative Powers. This resolution urges the Department of Health to implement a voluntary reporting system for Charcot-Marie-Tooth disease (CMT), a progressive condition affecting approximately 25,000 Tennesseans. The resolution aims to gather accurate data on the prevalence of CMT, which could enhance access to federal grants and specialized care. The committee supported this resolution, allowing it to proceed to the full health committee.

Lastly, House Bill 693, presented by Chairman Baum, was discussed. This bill builds on previous legislation that expanded pharmacists' ability to prescribe and dispense medications for eight new medical issues, thereby increasing healthcare access for Tennesseans. The committee expressed support for this initiative, recognizing the convenience of pharmacy access for patients.

In conclusion, the Health Subcommittee's meeting highlighted significant legislative efforts to enhance emergency health responses in schools, improve disability support programs, and expand healthcare access through pharmacy services. All discussed bills were approved to advance to the full health committee for further deliberation.