HB1956Introduced in the House
AN ACT to amend Tennessee Code Annotated, Title 8; Title 56; Title 63; Title 68 and Title 71, relative to step therapy.
Introduced by Rebecca Alexander, District 7
What does this bill do?
Plain-English breakdown
Writing a plain-English summary of this bill… this can take a few seconds the first time.
Official description
As enacted, expands the prohibition, from stage 4 advanced metastatic cancer or metastatic blood cancer to any cancer, against a health benefit plan that provides coverage for cancer requiring the use of a step therapy protocol before the health benefit plan provides coverage for an approved prescription drug to an enrollee who has received a diagnosis of cancer. - Amends TCA Title 8; Title 56; Title 63; Title 68 and Title 71.
Where it stands
Effective date(s) 01/01/2027
May 26, 2026
How did lawmakers vote?
House votes
4 recorded votes · each counted separately
Senate votes
1 recorded vote · each counted separately
SenateStage: FLOOR VOTE: Third Consideration · April 20, 2026
30
Yes
3
No
0
Absent or Not Voting
33 senators recorded in this Senate vote. Colors show vote categories only, not whether a vote was good or bad.
See how each senator voted
| Senator | District | Vote |
|---|---|---|
| Adam Lowe | 1 | Yes |
| Tom Hatcher | 2 | Yes |
| Rusty Crowe | 3 | Yes |
| Robert Harshbarger | 4 | Yes |
| Randy McNally | 5 | Yes |
| Becky Massey | 6 | Yes |
| Richard Briggs | 7 | Yes |
| Jessie Seal | 8 | Yes |
| Steve Southerland | 9 | No |
| Todd Gardenhire | 10 | Yes |
Bill history
Filed for introduction
Intro., P1C.
P2C, ref. to Insurance Committee - Government Operations for Review
Assigned to s/c Insurance Subcommittee
Placed on s/c cal Insurance Subcommittee for 3/4/2026
Action Def. in s/c Insurance Subcommittee to 3/11/2026
Placed on s/c cal Insurance Subcommittee for 3/11/2026
Rec. for pass by s/c ref. to Insurance Committee
Placed on cal. Insurance Committee for 3/17/2026
Sponsor(s) Added.
Sponsor(s) Added.
Action def. in Insurance Committee to 3/24/2026
Placed on cal. Insurance Committee for 3/24/2026
Sponsor(s) Added.
Rec. for pass; ref to Government Operations Committee
Placed on cal. Government Operations Committee for 3/30/2026
Rec. for pass; ref to Calendar & Rules Committee
Placed on cal. Calendar & Rules Committee for 4/2/2026
H. Placed on Regular Calendar for 4/6/2026
Sponsor(s) Added.
Passed H., Ayes 90, Nays 1, PNV 4
Engrossed; ready for transmission to Sen.
Received from House, Passed on First Consideration
Senate substituted House Bill for companion Senate Bill.
Passed Senate, Ayes 30, Nays 3
Enrolled; ready for sig. of H. Speaker.
Signed by H. Speaker
Signed by Senate Speaker
Transmitted to Governor for his action.
Signed by Governor.
Pub. Ch. 995
Effective date(s) 01/01/2027
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