WeVote
Log In

Bill

Bill

SB 1753

Health Care - As enacted, adds clinical informatics, lifestyle medicine, and medical virtualist to the list of words or abbreviations that a person may attach to a name to indicate or induce another person to believe that the person is engaged in the practice of medicine or osteopathic medicine. - Amends TCA Title 63, Chapter 6 and Title 63, Chapter 9.

114th Regular Session (2025-2026) Introduced by Ferrell Haile

Tennessee law now restricts "clinical informatics," "lifestyle medicine," and "medical virtualist" titles to licensed physicians and osteopaths only, tightening credential protections for emerging medical specialties.

Signed by Governor.
#healthcare
0
WeVote Research Nonpartisan
Bill Summary · SB 1753

Legislative bill overview

SB 1753 expands Tennessee's medical title protections by adding three new designations—clinical informatics, lifestyle medicine, and medical virtualist—to the list of credentials that legally indicate someone is practicing medicine or osteopathic medicine. This means individuals cannot use these titles unless they are licensed physicians or osteopaths in Tennessee.

Why is this important

Medical title regulations protect the public from unlicensed practitioners claiming credentials they don't hold. As healthcare evolves with new specialties and remote practices, clarifying which titles are legally restricted helps prevent fraud and ensures patients know whether they're seeing a licensed doctor. The bill also reflects emerging medical fields gaining prominence in healthcare delivery.

Potential points of contention

  • Scope creep concern: Critics may argue the state is overly restricting professional titles for newer specialties that may not require full medical licensure, potentially limiting legitimate practitioners in complementary health fields from using descriptive language.
  • Definition clarity: "Medical virtualist" is not a universally established term in medicine, raising questions about whether the bill's language is specific enough to enforce consistently across different practice contexts.
  • Occupational impact: Existing practitioners in lifestyle medicine or clinical informatics who aren't physicians may face name-change requirements if they currently use these titles professionally, creating transition costs and potential business disruption.

Compiled from official sources — confirm details with the bill’s official record.

Sign in to ask a question.