State Legislative Advocacy

TNAFP exists to serve and support family physicians and their patients, and one of the most important ways we do that is through legislative and regulatory advocacy. The Academy works directly with lawmakers at the state level – and at the national level in conjunction with AAFP – to promote good healthcare policies and oppose measures that adversely impact family physicians and/or their patients.

Tennessee’s family physicians can use the Academy to engage in the legislative process and connect directly with their representatives at the state capitol, where TNAFP represents 2,400 members with a single, coordinated and respected voice.

Elected officials in Nashville make decisions that affect how you practice medicine and deliver care to your patients. As the saying goes, “If you aren’t at the table, then you’re on the menu.”

The Tennessee General Assembly files more than 1,000 pieces of legislation every year, on average, and at least 300 bills are related to healthcare. TNAFP monitors all bills related to healthcare and keeps members informed of important issues during the session, even when the Academy has no official position or must remain neutral because of differing opinions within the membership. Generally speaking, TNAFP opposes measures that could adversely affect family physicians and patients and supports proposals that improve patient care and the practice of medicine.

2026 Legislative Summary

2026 Legislative Priorities

The TNAFP Legislative Committee works annually during the summer and fall to develop a short list of priorities for the Board of Directors to approve for the ensuing legislative session. The Board approved the committee’s recommendations in October 2025 for the 2026 session of the General Assembly, which included the following agenda:

  • Scope of practice – TNAFP will continued active participation in the Coalition for Collaborative Care, a consortium of medical societies that promotes physician-led, team-based healthcare delivery models and safeguards patient safety and quality of care against inappropriate scope expansion by non-physicians.
  • Collaborative primary/behavioral care models – TNAFP continued its work with the Tennessee Psychiatric Association to encourage more integrated mental health resources delivered via collaborative care models in primary care settings.
  • Vaccines – TNAFP anticipated that immunizations would continue to be a central topic in the state legislature and will continue raising awareness about safe, appropriate vaccines backed by decades of scientific research and medical evidence.
  • Other – TNAFP will continue raising awareness about unsustainable TennCare payment rates for primary care after some positive discussions with lawmakers in 2024.

Have an idea or request? The Legislative Committee welcomes and encourages ideas from members at any time. Contact TNAFP Executive Director Dave Chaney to suggest a legislative initiative or comment on TNAFP’s advocacy efforts.

Get Involved

Spend a day in Nashville during the legislative session to represent the Academy as part of the TNAFP Lobby Days. TNAFP schedules meetings weekly for volunteers to interact with state lawmakers, get an up-close look at the legislative process, and advocate for or against issues that are important to family doctors and their patients.

Learn More

Submit an Issue

Have a suggestion for a problem that might be addressed through state legislation? Submit to TNAFP Executive Director Dave Chaney so it can be relayed to the Legislative and Government Affairs Committee.

Get to Know Your Legislators

Not sure who represents you in Nashville or how to make a connection? Visit the General Assembly website or download the TN General Assembly (Apple or Android) app to find your Senator and Representative.