NASHVILLE, April 4, 2015– The week ending on April 3 was a very exciting week at the Capitol. On Monday, I was able to finalize changing the citizen feedback and input process for textbooks. I carried a bill for a constituent dealing with this issue. We were able to work with the Tennessee Department of Education and the Textbook Commission to make positive and necessary changes to their rules and regulations. In the end, the bill wasn’t necessary, as we achieved the goal of getting the TDOE to adopt our changes. This proves that citizen involvement through self governance can make a difference. You can make a difference.
On Wednesday, I was able to get two bills to pass out of their subcommittees. One has to do with physician credentialing that will help streamline the process and benefit patients by lowering their costs. I am excited to see this move forward as it will directly benefit Rutherford County patients.
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The second bill, HB425, authorizes health care providers who are in the National Guard to provide volunteer clinic services in a Tennessee military armory. It will be called the Kenneth Harry-Hill Tennessee Veterans Health Care Act of 2015 or the Mission Tennessee for Veterans Program. Our military goes on missions around the world. Health care providers go on medical missions around the world. What if we could give the authority of health care providers in the National Guard to provide limited primary health care in a Tennessee armory? Why not allow for these types of medical missions in Tennessee? With all the talk of veterans falling through the cracks or receiving delayed care, the Mission Tennessee for Veterans Program will be a positive step for our veterans.
On Thursday, HB143, the Right to Try bill, passed the House. I partnered with students at Central Magnet School to let them debate some issues. The students ultimately thought “Right to Try” would be an appropriate bill to support. I sponsored the bill on their behalf. This bill passed the senate and is awaiting the Governor’s signature. This was a great learning experience for the students to debate an issue, then follow the bill on its way to becoming law.
Earlier this year, I sponsored a HJR to honor Tennessean Clark Beckham for his accomplishments on American Idol. If you haven’t heard him sing yet, he is phenomenal. I would like to encourage all Tennesseans to watch him perform on American Idol and vote for him.
As always, I am humbled and honored to be your state representative.
With Liberty,
Dr. Bryan Terry
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