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SB 647

Public Funds and Financing - As introduced, creates the medical expense relief fund to assist the next of kin and the estate of a decedent who was enrolled in TennCare at the time of death with paying the decedent's medical debt and expenses; requires the department of human services to administer the fund and the awarding of grants. - Amends TCA Title 4, Chapter 3; Title 9 and Title 71.

114th Regular Session (2025-2026) Introduced by Rusty Crowe

Tennessee bill creates state fund to help families of deceased TennCare enrollees pay medical debts, administered by Department of Human Services.

Placed on Senate Finance, Ways, and Means Committee calendar for 4/20/2026
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Bill Summary · SB 647

Legislative bill overview

SB 647 establishes a state-funded Medical Expense Relief Fund to help families of deceased TennCare enrollees pay off the decedent's medical debts and expenses. The Department of Human Services would administer the fund and distribute grants to eligible next of kin and estates.

Why is this important

Medical debt is a leading cause of personal bankruptcy in the U.S., and families of low-income individuals (TennCare serves Tennessee's poorest residents) are particularly vulnerable to inheriting substantial bills. This bill could provide meaningful relief to grieving families facing unexpected financial burdens while potentially reducing bad debt write-offs for healthcare providers.

Potential points of contention

  • Funding source unclear: The bill text references amending appropriations statutes but doesn't specify where the fund's money comes from—general revenue, a fee, or reallocation of existing funds—which raises budget impact questions
  • Eligibility criteria not detailed: The legislation doesn't define what constitutes "next of kin," how grants are sized, or what medical expenses qualify, potentially leading to inconsistent or subjective administration
  • Estate recovery interaction: TennCare typically recovers costs from estates; unclear whether this fund would work alongside or replace existing estate recovery mechanisms, or if it creates duplicative/conflicting obligations

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

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