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TennesseeHB 1198114th General Assembly (2025-2026)HouseWALLET

AN ACT to amend Tennessee Code Annotated, Title 4; Title 53; Title 56; Title 68 and Title 71, relative to biosimilar medicine.

Sponsored By: Sabi 'Doc' Kumar (Republican)

Became Law

Drugs, Prescription

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Bill Overview

Analyzed Economic Effects

3 provisions identified: 3 benefits, 0 costs, 0 mixed.

Insurers can't make you try biosimilars first

Health insurers in Tennessee cannot force you to try a generic, interchangeable biologic, or a biosimilar before covering the brand drug your doctor prescribes. Utilization review companies must follow the same rule. This protects access to the medicine your doctor chooses. This applies now.

State sets clear biosimilar definition

The law sets one clear meaning for “biosimilar” in insurance and TennCare. It is a biological drug licensed under 42 U.S.C. 262(k) and not listed as “discontinued” in the FDA’s Purple Book. State buying rules now also treat biosimilars as covered. These definitions guide coverage and purchasing decisions. This applies now.

TennCare now reviews and covers biosimilars

TennCare’s drug rules now include biosimilars. The state Drug Utilization Review Board must consider biosimilars, along with efficacy and cost, when it reviews medicines. This can affect which drugs TennCare prefers or covers on its list. This applies now.

Sponsors & Cosponsors

Sponsor

  • Sabi 'Doc' Kumar

    Republican • House

Cosponsors

  • Bryan Terry

    Republican • House

Roll Call Votes

All Roll Calls

Yes: 143 • No: 1

Senate vote • 3/31/2025

FLOOR VOTE: Third Consideration 3/31/2025

Yes: 30 • No: 0

House vote • 3/31/2025

FLOOR VOTE: REGULAR CALENDAR AS AMENDED PASSAGE ON THIRD CONSIDERATION 3/31/2025

Yes: 92 • No: 1

House vote • 3/31/2025

HOUSE CALENDAR & RULES COMMITTEE

Yes: 0 • No: 0

House vote • 3/19/2025

HOUSE INSURANCE COMMITTEE

Yes: 15 • No: 0

House vote • 3/12/2025

INSURANCE SUBCOMMITTEE

Yes: 6 • No: 0

Actions Timeline

  1. Pub. Ch. 206

    4/28/2025

  2. Effective date(s) 04/11/2025

    4/28/2025

  3. Signed by Governor.

    4/11/2025

  4. Signed by Senate Speaker

    4/3/2025Senate

  5. Transmitted to Governor for his action.

    4/3/2025House

  6. Enrolled; ready for sig. of H. Speaker.

    4/2/2025House

  7. Signed by H. Speaker

    4/2/2025House

  8. H. adopted am. (Amendment 1 - HA0140)

    3/31/2025House

  9. Sponsor(s) Added.

    3/31/2025House

  10. Passed H., as am., Ayes 92, Nays 1, PNV 0

    3/31/2025House

  11. Engrossed; ready for transmission to Sen.

    3/31/2025House

  12. Received from House, Passed on First Consideration

    3/31/2025Senate

  13. Senate substituted House Bill for companion Senate Bill.

    3/31/2025Senate

  14. Amendment withdrawn. (Amendment 1 - SA0236)

    3/31/2025Senate

  15. Passed Senate, Ayes 30, Nays 0

    3/31/2025Senate

  16. H. Placed on Regular Calendar for 3/31/2025

    3/27/2025House

  17. Placed on cal. Calendar & Rules Committee for 3/27/2025

    3/26/2025House

  18. Rec. for pass. if am., ref. to Calendar & Rules Committee

    3/19/2025House

  19. Rec for pass if am by s/c ref. to Insurance Committee

    3/12/2025House

  20. Placed on cal. Insurance Committee for 3/19/2025

    3/12/2025House

  21. Placed on s/c cal Insurance Subcommittee for 3/12/2025

    3/5/2025House

  22. P2C, ref. to Insurance Committee

    2/12/2025House

  23. Assigned to s/c Insurance Subcommittee

    2/12/2025House

  24. Intro., P1C.

    2/10/2025House

  25. Filed for introduction

    2/6/2025House

Bill Text

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