NASHVILLE, TN – The Center for Individual Freedom (CFIF) today announced that Tennesseans from across the state have sent more than 24,000 letters urging their elected officials in the in the 113th General Assembly to repeal Tennessee’s harmful Certificate of Need (CON) laws to help increase access to high-quality, affordable healthcare. 

"The broad support for repealing Tennessee’s Certificate of Need (CON) laws is truly remarkable," said CFIF President Jeff Mazzella. "Throughout the 113th General Assembly, Tennesseans have sent more than 24,000 letters to their lawmakers urging repeal of Tennessee’s remaining CON laws. These are real patients and their families who are fed up with these anti-competitive laws enabling the government to limit access to affordable, high-quality healthcare choices."

Mazzella added, "The growing chorus of everyday Tennesseans willing to speak out on this issue is being heard over the tired and unsubstantiated claims of CON proponents that wish to protect the status quo at the expense of Tennessee patients."

Tennessee’s Senate Committee on Health and Welfare and the House Health Subcommittee are preparing to consider legislation sponsored by Senator Shane Reeves and Representative Clark Boyd that would repeal many of the state’s remaining CON requirements for vital healthcare services and facilities. The legislation reflects the recommendations laid out by Tennessee’s CON Reform Working Group – a group of legislators, including Senator Reeves and Representative Boyd, that has met with stakeholders and carefully studied the issue. 

"Senator Reeves’ and Representative Boyd’s thoughtful leadership on CON reform cannot be overstated," continued Mazzella. “The legislation under consideration will help ensure greater access to vital healthcare services and facilities, including acute care hospitals and freestanding emergency departments (FSEDs) – enabling Tennessee’s healthcare infrastructure to keep pace with the state’s rapidly growing population. We fully support this legislation and urge every member of the General Assembly to vote in favor of its passage."

Public opinion data released by CFIF in January shows that more than half (56 percent) of Tennessee GOP voters are increasingly worried about access to care in their communities, and nearly three-quarters (74 percent) think there should be less government regulation in healthcare. Additionally, after hearing statements supporting and opposing CON laws, nearly two-thirds (65 percent) of voters support CON repeal. 

Earlier this month, CFIF released a coalition letter signed by a diverse group of healthcare providers and practitioners, academics and public interest organizations urging Governor Bill Lee and the 113th General Assembly to fully repeal Tennessee’s CON laws this session. 

More recently, CFIF published a What They Are Saying compilation of what key voices on the issue are saying about the CON Reform Working Group’s plan and CON reform in general. 

Read the What They Are Saying compilation here.

Read the coalition letter here. 

Read the full public opinion survey interested parties memo here.

Read CFIF’s one-page overview of the public opinion survey results here.

Founded in 1998, the Center for Individual Freedom is a non-profit, constitutional and free-market advocacy organization with more than 300,000 activists and supporters across the nation, including thousands in Tennessee.

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