Panel advances bill allowing 12‑month birth‑control supply at pharmacy if prescribed

The House Insurance Subcommittee on March 5 approved House Bill 0169, a measure that would permit Tennessee women to obtain a 12‑month supply of birth control at a pharmacy when a prescriber writes a 12‑month prescription. The committee adopted amendment 3958 and recorded a unanimous 5‑0 vote to advance the bill to the full Insurance Committee.

Chair Lady Halton Haynes explained the amended bill on the record, saying a prescribing health‑care provider may also instruct that a smaller supply be provided. The sponsor framed the measure as enabling pharmacies to dispense the longer supply where clinically appropriate and as directed by the prescriber.

Committee procedures recorded the attachment of amendment 3958 and a 5‑0 tally; the transcript does not include fiscal notes or implementation details about pharmacy reimbursement, prior authorization or effects on state‑funded plans beyond the text on the record.