TN HB0979

Hospitals in counties with 105,000 or fewer residents (per 2020 census) may employ licensed physicians to provide medical services, while hospitals in larger counties may employ physicians except radiologists, anesthesiologists, pathologists, or emergency physicians

Children's hospitals may employ radiologists, anesthesiologists, pathologists, and emergency physicians if they are board certified or board eligible; research hospitals (where 50%+ of inpatients are treated under research protocols) may also employ these specialists

Creates a new licensure framework for anesthesiologist assistants under the Board of Medical Examiners, requiring graduation from an accredited program, passing a certification exam, and working under supervision of an anesthesiologist who must be immediately available to intervene

Employing hospitals and affiliates are prohibited from interfering with physicians' medically appropriate diagnostic, treatment, or referral decisions, with any restrictions requiring written physician consent and patient disclosure

Effective dates: rulemaking authority upon enactment, anesthesiologist assistant provisions January 1, 2026, and remaining sections July 1, 2025