Rutherford County

Rep. Bryan Terry Publishes 3 Part Series on Opioid Crisis

October 29, 2019 By Admin

The opioid crisis is a complex issue impacting Tennesseans of all demographics. Most recently, I opined on the issue in a three part series discussing the supply and demand of opioids including what steps have been taken at the state and where we need to go from here.

Please, follow the links to the articles and feel free to provide me any feedback at BryanTerry4TN@gmail.com

Part 1 Introduction:

The Supply and Demand of Opioids: An Intricate Dynamic

Part 2 Supply:

The Supply and Demand of Opioids: Tackling the Supply Problem

Part 3 Demand:

The Supply and Demand of Opioids: Tackling the Demand Problem

Rep. Bryan Terry Pushing For Rutherford Co. DMV Solutions

September 7, 2019 By Admin

Folks, I wanted to give the community an update on what has been going on with the DMV and ask for community input as we move into next year’s session. As I have been investigating the issues, a couple of stories have come about that highlight some of the issues at our driver’s service centers across the state.

HOW BAD ARE TENNESSEE DMV WAIT TIMES?

AUDIT: NON-RESIDENTS GETTING TENNESSEE DRIVERS’ LICENSES

As many know, we have a driver’s service center(DMV) located off Middle Tennessee Blvd. They provide driving permits, driver’s licenses, road testing, renewals, handgun permits, and now they have Real ID. We, also, have three renewal kiosks located in Rutherford County.

Nobody enjoys going to the DMV. Nobody wants to wait. Nobody who values their health points to the DMV and demands a DMV style government run health care system. It is an essential government service that everyone points to as a prime example of government inefficiency. Despite upgrades or changes, it always seems as if the system is still behind.

Over the past few weeks, I’ve been investigating some issues that have cropped up. Ironically, the economy is booming and our labor market has gotten tight. For employees, it is great in that wages have risen, and employees are in high demand in the workplace. For those hiring, including the government, it means one has to look for solutions in order to offer a productive and efficient service.

Between emails, phones calls and meetings with the Department of Safety, Governor Lee’s office, our Speaker and Finance chair, and leadership, I have been looking for some solutions that could benefit our citizens. As I’ve described my four step process on issues before, I wanted to explain my process on this issue.

PREMISE OR PROBLEM

Our DMV has been experiencing extended delays for services, including in the office and road test services. While this premise or problem seems to be the standard operating procedure for a DMV, we have seen a recent worsening of this problem.

A few years ago, I looked into the issue. What I discovered was that the state average wait for a road test was 12 days while Rutherford County was around 18 days. Some options were floated, but the direction the Department of Safety wanted to take was to offload services from the DMV site either via kiosks or having counties oversee some of the services.

Rutherford County did not participate in absorbing some of these services. With a tight county budget and personnel restrictions, I certainly understand the decision. (As an aside, Lisa Duke Crowell is doing an admirable job and is willing to work for solutions. She has the interest of our constituents and taxpayers in mind.).

In the end, the Department of Safety placed three kiosks in Rutherford County. These kiosks help with renewals and are located at Middle Tennessee State University, the Murfreesboro Driver Services Center, and Rutherford County Clerk (Smyrna).

Currently, there are three acute problems occurring at our DMV. First, is personnel. We are supposed to have 8.5 full time equivalent employees at the center. Unfortunately, we are down 3 employees due to vacancies. The Dept. Of Safety has increased their salaries and has hired 3 people to fill the vacancies, but they haven’t started yet. Additionally, I have been told that our DMV recently had a person on vacation, one out for surgery, and one sick. They were down to 2.5 employees which backed things up considerably.

In today’s job market, it is difficult to attract employees to work in a DMV. It is a thankless job that has high turnover. Ironically, as I discuss turnover and vacancy issues, one of the individuals with the department that supplied me with information is no longer there.

Secondly, with Real ID coming into fruition, we have had an influx of people needing new IDs at the DMV. There are kiosks in the county to offload renewals, but that doesn’t help with new or real ID’s. Thirdly, gun permits have increased, as well.

We aren’t the only center having issues. There are 43 other centers in Tennessee like our center in Murfreesboro. Statewide, there are 29 vacancies. In addition, statewide there is a road testing average wait time of 11 days. Unfortunately, Rutherford County seems to be hit exceedingly hard. We have 10% of the vacancies and our road testing wait time is 28 days. Only the East Shelby County Driver’s Center has a longer wait at 29 days.

GOALS

Obviously, the goal should be to provide an efficient public service to the community in a cost efficient manner.

OPTIONS

Self-governance is the cornerstone of our republic. So, I am more than open to listening to any options that may be presented. Please, contact my office if you have any. That being said, I’ve been having discussions on three basic options. Understand that the Department of Safety has given raises to employees, but that still hasn’t resolved the issue.

First, the Department of Safety is continuing to look at offloading services from the main office. They are partnering with County Clerk Office’s to have county government provide some of the services. Many counties have joined in the partnership. Rutherford County has not, as of yet. Secondly, adding more kiosks may allow for decreasing demand at the service center.

Third, with high turnover and need to cover vacancies, vacations, and sick leave, starting a float pool to either work in the office or provide road testing is an option that I have discussed with the Department of Safety and the Lee Administration.

FEASIBILITY

Without significant financial outlay from the state to Rutherford County, it will be difficult for our county to participate in a partnership. With a tight county budget, personnel restrictions, and on the heels of a county tax increase, asking the county to foot the bill doesn’t seem feasible.

With a greater than 600 million dollar surplus, Tennessee should have significant non-recurring and recurring funds. Non-recurring funds could help with setting up more kiosks. Recurring funds could help with setting up and running a float pool.

CONCLUSION

The Department of Safety will be presenting their budget requests to the Governor soon. For our citizens, these services are a priority, and I’m pushing for them to address the concerns of our growing county.

As always, I’m honored that you allow me to serve.

With Liberty,

Rep. Bryan Terry, MD

Bryan Terry: Thanks District 48 Citizens, For Your Overwhelming Support!

November 16, 2018 By Admin

(Nashville, Tenn.) — State Representative Bryan Terry, MD (R-Murfreesboro) thanked the voters of District 48 for their overwhelming support during his successful re-election bid. Terry won by a landslide margin on election night and, also, garnered the highest percentage of votes of any state or federal candidate on the ballot in Rutherford County — including Governor-Elect Bill Lee.

“My family and I are truly humbled and honored to be re-elected to serve our community during the 111th Tennessee General Assembly,” stated an enthusiastic Dr. Terry. “Our community supports efforts to improve education, health care, safety and jobs, as opposed to the extremist rhetoric and protesting that is divisive. I have worked to be the voice for all citizens of District 48, and I look forward to continuing to serve our incredible community.”

Dr. Terry will be serving his third term in the Tennessee House of Representatives for the area that encompasses the eastern half of Rutherford County and Middle Tennessee State University. As a member of the 110th General Assembly, he served as House Health Subcommittee Chairman and was instrumental in many health care improvements — not only in Rutherford County but across Tennessee. During the crafting of Governor Haslam’s Tennessee Together plan, Dr. Terry led efforts to address the opioid crisis while working to ensure that legitimate patients were protected from unintended physical and financial consequences of any legislation.

“My goals with this important initiative were to not only help address the opioid problem plaguing Tennessee, but, also, to ensure patients were able to receive proper treatment, while also protecting their pocketbooks from burdensome expenses,” said Terry. “We know we accomplished a significant part of these goals, but we still have more work ahead, and we are already looking at new solutions to further address this critical issue.”

In addition to the opioid crisis, Terry has worked to decrease prescription costs and also improve patient access. He was instrumental in removing the gag clause on pharmacists, which previously prevented them from discussing less expensive payment options for prescription drugs. Ultimately, President Trump followed Tennessee’s lead by signing a federal law to prevent these same gag clauses.

Recently, the Trump Administration and CMS offered states access to State Relief and Empowerment Waivers. These waivers will allow Tennessee the opportunity to revamp the health insurance market by providing patients with greater choice and less expensive plans.

“We have been working to stabilize the health insurance market and help improve access and options for patients. Unfortunately, restrictions and regulations surrounding the Affordable Care Act, as well as roadblocks put forth by the Obama Administration have hindered our efforts to help our citizens,” stated Terry. “With the new guidance from the Trump Administration, Tennessee will have the opportunity to address several health care concerns including protecting those with pre-existing conditions while providing more patient centered options.”

During his tenure, Representative Terry has been known as a proactive advocate for education. He believes the combination of a new governor and the turnover among House Education Committee members will present some new challenges but, also, exciting new opportunities in order to further improve the system. “Though Tennessee has taken steps forward in education, there are still concerns that need to be addressed including testing. I look forward to continuing to be an advocate on behalf of our community as we strive to make improvements for our students, parents, and teachers,” stated Terry.

With the 111th General Assembly quickly approaching, Rep. Terry explained that he has already been working on legislation and issues for the upcoming session. “We have made remarkable progress improving Tennessee, but creating new solutions to address vital issues that will impact the future outcomes of our state is an ongoing process. I appreciate the strong partnerships I have with our citizens, local leaders, and my legislative colleagues. All of these play an important role in bringing forth innovative ideas that will move Tennessee from good to great. I am thankful to District 48 for the faith they have placed in me to continue to work for the betterment of all.”

Representative Bryan Terry, MD can be contacted at 615-741-2180 or via email at rep.Bryan.Terry@capitol.tn.gov.

From Good To Great: Protecting Our Shared Values In Tennessee

November 1, 2018 By Admin

MURFREESBORO– In recent years, Tennessee has undergone a remarkable transformation. Gone are the days of high taxes, even higher unemployment rates, dismal education rankings, threats to our security, and a stagnant economy. All of these were the result of failed Democratic leadership in Nashville prior to 2010. A new era was ushered into our Tennessee General Assembly when Republicans became the state’s majority party in 2011. Now, Tennessee is a national leader on several fronts, and conservative lawmakers who share your Tennessee values are critical to ensuring our future success.

It has been a privilege serving as your voice for our SHARED VALUES in Nashville over the last four years. During this time, I have supported measures that have improved Safety, decreased Healthcare costs, fortified our Agriculture community, enhanced Recreation and tourism, boosted Tennessee’s Education system, addressed the Diverse needs of our community, given a Voice to our citizens, lowered taxes and made government more efficient to boost Affordability, protected the Liberties afforded to us by our Constitution, strengthened protections for our Unborn children, promoted a vibrant Economy, and reinforced our Security.

Shared values are at the heart of every single aspect of my service to the citizens of our community and Tennessee. Our families and their children deserve to live in safe neighborhoods, and that’s why I have strongly advocated for additional resources that back our local law enforcement, first responders, and military personnel.

My conservative colleagues and I, also, agree we must improve access and the quality of healthcare available to our citizens while lowering costs. Obamacare mandates and regulations have already jeopardized patients by driving up costs and decreasing access to providers and facilities. House Republicans want to create a consumer-driven system that puts patients and their doctors in control of their health decisions without interference from the government or insurance providers. This can be accomplished through patient-centered reforms and innovative policies, as well as increasing competition, which will ultimately lower costs and improve access and the quality of care patients receive. With the new guidance from the Trump Administration in the form of “State Relief and Empowerment Waivers”, Tennessee will will have the opportunity to properly address a healthcare system broken by the Obama Administration.

I believe in creating jobs, not inciting mobs. We need to continue creating environments where industries like agriculture, recreation and tourism, and other important sectors thrive. Current statewide unemployment has remained near record-low levels for more than an entire year, and locally, we have the third lowest rate in the state — just 2.9 percent. The average Tennessee household income has, also, grown at the fastest rate in the southeast region.

Because of the strategic investments made by Republicans in education — including more than $200 million in new K-12 funding and $55 million in teacher pay raises just this year alone — our students are the fastest improving across math, reading, and science in the entire nation. These types of efforts help us better address the diverse needs of our citizens by preparing our current and future workers with the education and training needed to attract and fill the quality jobs in Tennessee. After all, Republican leaders want our current and future employees, entrepreneurs, and business owners to control their own destinies and excel at all levels of their careers.

In the years ahead, I will continue to give a voice to our citizens so they remain actively involved and engaged as we work on new solutions to meet their needs. While we have cut almost $1 billion dollars in taxes in recent years, we must continue to keep taxes low and government efficient. I will always fight to protect your individual liberties granted to us by our Constitution, safeguard our unborn children, back initiatives and the allocation of resources that allow for our continued economic growth and prosperity, and better secure Tennessee’s borders to keep dangerous drugs and violent criminals off of our streets.

These are very exciting times in our community, our region, and our state. We are on the verge of greatness, and I know that together, Tennessee will do more than just scratch the surface of its endless potential. Your continued partnership and support of House Republicans at the polls will ensure that Tennessee remains a model for our entire nation to follow!

Bryan Terry, MD serves as Chairman of the House Health Subcommittee, as well as a member of the House Health and Civil Justice Committees. He lives in Murfreesboro and represents House District 48, which includes the eastern half of Rutherford County. Terry can be reached by calling (615) 741-2180 or emailing: Rep.Bryan.Terry@capitol.tn.gov.

Bryan Terry Takes TN-Ready To Task: “The Tests Aren’t Valid”

April 25, 2018 By Admin

MURFREESBORO, April, 2018– Folks, as many of you now know, there was another debacle related to TN Ready, the statewide testing assessment. This past week, many members, including myself, took the lead in protecting students, teachers, and schools from adverse effects of the invalid assessments. Despite our efforts to hold these students, teachers and schools harmless for the failures of the system, one should know that there were and still are forces out there against these protective measures. They are for forging ahead without any track record of reliability or validity in the system and for preventing further protections from the errors in the system.

Where we were in education as a state and where we are now does lead credence to the fact that we have made some positive strides. But, unfortunately, many of those who point towards the successes have turned a blind eye to the setbacks, drawbacks, and failures of the system. Leadership is about determining our values and goals, looking towards the past to learn and build, then make choices for the future to best achieve the goals. Failed leadership is assigning blame and refusing to accept responsibility while pushing forward without adapting to address the mistakes of the past.

The current philosophy of the system is to set high Tennessee specific education standards, then to assess on a yearly basis how well our students have learned the standards. In addition, there is the belief that accountability measures for students, teacher, and schools should not only improve outcomes, but improve the validity of the assessments. Whether one agrees with the philosophy or not is another debate, but coinciding with this philosophy, Tennessee has shown growth in our educational scores. However, one must question which parts of the philosophy have had the most impact, which parts have failed, and what are any unintended or negative consequences of such a philosophy.

Every year since I have been in office, I have looked to address the failures and shortcomings of the system while making improvements for the betterment of students and teachers. Having a fair, consistent, and valid system that improves our education outcomes is as important as ensuring morale and confidence in the system improves, as well.

I have been leading and will continue to lead in this area. It was my amendment which provided legislative intent to rescind Common Core standards and provided the General Assembly with confirmation powers over the standards committee. It was me who brought the confirmation appointments to a halt when it was determined that these individuals weren’t being vetted properly.

Last summer, I spoke with a representative for some teachers in Rutherford County to discuss the results of the TN Ready assessment. From my perspective, the results were statistically impossible, yet teachers were being punished. Based on that discussion, an investigation ensued and it was determined that roughly 10,000 tests were mis-scored including those in Rutherford County. Following that, I was able to bring Commissioner McQueen to an education round table involving our Rutherford County delegation and Rutherford County and Murfreesboro City School Boards to discuss the philosophy, as well as the past, present and future of education. Subsequent to the discussion, the Tennessee Department of Education (TDOE) provided me with a document surrounding the validity of the TN Ready assessments.

As many of you may know, I have been harping on the problems with validity in the system and that the state should have a reliable testing system prior to applying accountability measures to students, teachers, and schools. The failure of the TDOE to produce a reliable and valid assessment all the while imposing accountability measures has led to poor morale and anxiety within the education system. Until this is addressed, we will continue to see an exodus of good teachers and an uprising of students, parents, local education officials, and legislators like me.

Consequences of testing(holding students, teachers, school accountable) is a measure of evidence for validity and does or will improve the validity of the entire system. However, the other forms of evidence for validity which are test content, response processes, internal structure, and relation to other variables need to be proven prior to adding in consequences of testing. Unfortunately, that is not the philosophy of many in the position to make changes. Tennessee needs to have an actual error proof baseline of one or two years before enacting any accountability measures. The fact that we just passed a “hold-harmless” measure leads proof that our General Assembly believes the tests are invalid despite the position of the TDOE.

I am of the opinion that without a known valid baseline for comparison(relation to a known variable, response processes), that the data shouldn’t be used. Since there have been glitches and mistakes for several years, there isn’t a valid baseline. In their own report to me on validity, the TDOE pointed out that usability is a response processes that is vital to validity. Understanding that students and teachers are having problems with the platform and directions should provide evidence that the response processes for TN Ready isn’t valid. Add in that the testing problems provides proof that there isn’t consistency in the testing which invalidates relation to known variables, and you have an invalid test.

The bottom line is that if the conditions of a test are flawed, then the results of the tests are flawed. For example, if you have a free throw shooting contest, but player A shoots in a gym and player B shoots at an outside park with 30 mph winds, you can’t compare the accuracy between both shooters because conditions are different. And you can’t punish player B’s coach because he makes less free throws.

To further use the basketball analogy, we all want Tennessee students to be the best basketball players(student scores) in the country, and we want our teachers to be the best coaches and our schools to be the best teams. Providing high standards like shooting, rebound, dribbling and defensive skills while understanding team based philosophies like trapping, pressing, man to man, zones, high/ low schemes, and offensive shot selection improves outcomes compares to basic standards like “shoot if you’re open” or “stay between your man and the goal”. Additionally, providing the proper and enough equipment including basketballs, goals, and nets in an environment conducive to practicing or playing, improves the chances that the final product succeeds.

However, providing students and teachers with deflated balls while asking them to play on goals that aren’t consistently 10 feet and expecting the results of the Golden State Warriors isn’t fair to students, parents, teachers or schools. Before we take the accountability step, shouldn’t the state at least have some reliability, consistency, and validity in the system?

UPDATE

As an update to the TN Ready debacle, on the last night of Session, the House stood in unison to protect our teachers from the invalid assessments. Last week, we had passed legislation that had been supported by the TEA to hold students, teachers, and schools harmless for the scores from this year’s TN Ready testing due to multiple problems. As part of that measure, I insisted that it apply to all teachers including those using paper testing because there had been multiple problems with both online and paper tests.

However, earlier in the week, Commissioner McQueen declared. “TNReady data from 2017-18 will count for 10% of a teacher’s overall evaluation score. The legislation passed by the General Assembly last week ensures that this 10% cannot be used in making termination or compensation decisions.” While holding teachers harmless in termination and compensation decisions for an invalid test is a goal, the implication that a teacher could still have invalid measures used in an evaluation or other adverse ways was unacceptable. More action needed to be taken and we took charge.

Last night, after hours of negotiations and heated debate, we passed an amendment on HB 75 that said that “No Adverse Actions” can be taken against students, teachers, schools, or LEAs for the 2017-18 TN Ready assessments. That phrase was vital to the amendment as using invalid tests on an evaluation to go into a teacher’s file is an adverse action.

Teachers who may benefit from the assessments may include the assessment in their evaluations or they may use their qualitative observations to count for 60% instead of 50% of their evaluations. Students or schools who may benefit may use their scores if they benefit them, as well.

Applying yearly patches to address either a failed system or failed implementation of a system is not serving students, teachers, nor taxpayers in a sensible capacity. Under the given circumstances, this amendment may have been the best feasible option for the year, but having eight months until the 111th session begins should give the next administration and General Assembly the opportunity to present a long term solution.

Just my two cents,

Rep. Bryan Terry

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Rep Bryan Terry: Updates On Cannabis, Opioids, Landfill, Guns

March 6, 2018 By Admin

MURFREESBORO, MARCH 5, 2018, Last Monday, I signed on to the Medical Cannabis Only Act. And on Tuesday, it passed the first hurdle which was the Criminal Justice Subcommittee. Every chemical in cannabis is already legal in Tennessee right now. All chemicals except THC are grown at MTSU, and THC is dispensed as Marinol at pharmacies throughout Rutherford County and the state. So, the chemicals are in the state, but unfortunately, they aren’t necessarily able to be used in an effective medicinal form or be used together. The MCOA would allow the chemicals to be used together and is for OIL ONLY, and not flower or raw plant.

Overwhelmingly, doctors, pharmacists, and other constituents that speak to me are supportive of having the option of cannabinoids, especially in oil based form. Even most politicians who aren’t willing to go public or feel that they must vote “no” acknowledge that if they were in a position of need, they would want the option. Unfortunately, the swamp is still strong with fear mongering, cronyism, or a general lack of knowledge of the issue.

This week, my bills HB 1549, 1550, and 2002 made it through the committee process and will be on the House floor Monday night.

1549 helps decrease the burden on highly qualified teachers at they proceed from an initial 3 year license to their 6 year license. It has overwhelming bipartisan support.

1550 will allow Rutherford County to develop it own forensic autopsy center. As one of the fastest growing counties in the country, the center will help provide a valuable service to our county and surrounding counties.

2002 will clean up our code to allow a newly approved long acting medication to be used to treat opioid addiction. It will increase compliance, decrease diversion, and decrease relapse rates.

One item that I should bring to everyone’s awareness is that the House passed HB 2370 and I am a co-prime sponsor.

Currently, business or property owners have two options when it comes to firearms. They must either allow firearm carry permit holders to carry concealed or openly in their business or property, or they must post a sign that denies one to carry a firearm.

Some property owners would like a third option which is that a carry permit holder may carry, but the owners just want it concealed. HB 2370 will allow that option to occur. The bill increases the liberty and freedoms of both carry permit holders and property owners.

As many folks know, Rutherford County is looking at selling the landfill to Republic. Currently MiddlePoint has a life expectancy of 6-10 years. If Republic gets the adjoining Rutherford County Landfill and its base footprint, the lifespan of MiddlePoint landfill will most likely be extended an additional 15 years(21-25 years).

Here is an important point that everyone in the community needs to know. Wet sludge(human waste) has live bacteria, produces gas, and is responsible for much of the odor around the landfill. Currently, Murfreesboro and Smyrna send wet sludge to MiddlePoint. Based on the original contract, they are allowed to do so. The landfill in Clarksville is the ONLY other landfill that accepts wet sludge and they were given an exemption due to the flood damage to their drying facility. Clarksville has until the summer of 2019 to dry their sludge or they lose their permit.

Folks, that means that in 2019, Murfreesboro and Smyrna will be the only municipalities still delivering wet sludge and MiddlePoint will be the only landfill still accepting the wet sludge. As a community, how is that acceptable?

Representative Bryan Terry represents District 48 which is the eastern half of Rutherford County and can be reached at 615-741-2180 or vie email at Rep.Bryan.Terry@Capitol.TN.Gov.

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Rep. Bryan Terry Introduces Measures To Tackle TN Opioid Crisis

January 22, 2018 By Admin

Rep. Bryan Terry Hosts Speaker Beth Harwell For Saint Thomas Rutherford Hospital Tour

NASHVILLE, January 22, 2018– Representative Bryan Terry, MD (R-Murfreesboro), chairman of the Tennessee House Health Subcommittee, has filed legislation and has other legislation ready to be filed to address the opioid crisis facing Tennessee. With the issue being multifaceted in nature, Rep. Terry is looking to touch various aspects of the problem with his legislation, as well as advocate for other aspects not necessarily requiring legislation.

While many look at prescribing habits leading to excess opioids in circulation as a leading cause of the problem, Rep. Terry explained that the problem runs much deeper. “There are various cogs in the wheel driving the opioid crisis. Failure to properly address legal and illicit access to opioids, addiction, treatment, lack of education, and government meddling has created a perfect storm leading to this problem. While looking to address each aspect of the problem, we must ensure that we protect legitimate patients and legitimate providers.”

The first bill filed by Rep. Terry aims to provide a deterrent to the illegal manufacturing, sales, and distribution of potent opioids like fentanyl and sufentanil which are used in chronic pain and the perioperative period, and carfentanil which was developed as a large animal tranquilizer. These drugs are often cited as being 100 to 10,000 times as potent as morphine. “Potency and route of administration increase the speed of addiction. Some of this is coming in from China via Mexico and finding its way to our streets. While we have had some arrests in Tennessee, New York and Florida have had some high profile cases involving up to 32 million lethal doses,” explained Terry. The bill increase the penalty for possession, sales, distribution, or manufacturing of these drugs to an A or B Class felony depending on the amount of lethal doses involved in the arrest.

On the prevention side, Rep Terry explained that as with many issues, the root of the problem is often found on the supply and demand curve. “While looking to cut down on the illicit supply, we must look to address various aspects of demand. Proper education on the risks, as well as decreasing barriers to alternative health care modalities that treat pain without opioids are vital to decreasing this problem.”

“Neuropathic pain, chronic pain syndromes, and even perioperative pain can be treated with nerve blocks or pain injections. Our current system, especially within TennCare, is set up to incentivize the use of opioids over other modalities. Incentivizing the use of cheap opioids over viable alternatives increases the risk of addiction and demand. I will be offering a bill to change that,” explained Rep. Terry.

Another possibility that could decrease the use of narcotics is the medicinal uses of cannabinoids which are in cannabis. “Crohn’s Disease, spasticity involved in MS, and other painful conditions can see benefit from cannabinoids which can potentially cut down narcotic usage without the recreational high often produced by smoking or ingesting. It’s hypocritical that the federal government makes all cannabinoids Schedule 1 drugs, yet Marinol, which is synthetic THC is legal in all states including Tennessee. Ignorance and fear is no way to govern, and that form of governance is hurting patients.” Rep. Terry says he is supportive of research and medicinal uses of cannabinoids under the care of medical providers.

Diversion is the process of taking opioids from a legal prescription and diverting the drugs to be used recreationally. “Overprescribing and doctor shopping are two aspects that increase the risk of diversion. I have legislation that will attack that on two fronts. Currently, one can hold on to an opioid prescription for up to six months before it is filed in the system and filled by a pharmacist. My bill will require a prescription to be on file with a pharmacy within seven days and filled within 60 days. Secondly, some individuals do not want the entire prescription at one time. The bill will allow for partial filling of an opioid prescription to cut down on the amount someone may want at their home.” Rep. Terry says that he is working with the Tennessee Medical Association and Tennessee Pharmacist Association on the legislation.

Rep. Terry is, also, set to propose legislation for an opioid hotline within the Tennessee Department of Health which will provide whistleblower protection for those who come forth with information in good faith about potential abuses in the medical system. Recently, 60 Minutes aired an expose on abuses of oversupplies of opioids to pharmacies or medical facilities. In addition, local pill mills, mail order pharmacy facilities, and unscrupulous providers have led to an excess of opioids in the public. The legislation looks to curb those unethical practices.

While prevention of demand and reduction of supply are two of the main components in solving the opioid crisis, treatment for those caught in the crosshairs is an important aspect of tackling the problem. Rep. Terry is carrying a bill that would allow long acting injectable Suboxone be available in Tennessee for opioid addiction treatment. “Folks, often, only have thirty days of inpatient treatment covered by insurance. Unless someone is treated for up to ninety days or longer, the relapse rates are greater than ninety percent. Injectable Suboxone that lasts thirty days will help decrease the rates and costs of relapse, and it will decrease diversion of the current pill form. I know that Governor Haslam is looking at increased funding for treatment, and I have spoken to his administration about this treatment option.”

Representative Bryan Terry represents District 48 which is the eastern half of Rutherford County and can be reached at 615-741-2180 or vie email at Rep.Bryan.Terry@Capitol.TN.Gov.

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Rep. Bryan Terry 2018 Legislative Preview: MTSU, Medical Marijuana, Healthcare, Education

January 8, 2018 By Admin

MURFREESBORO, January 7, 2018– I have been busy getting ready for the upcoming session. I hope you enjoy and become more informed with my updates. As we begin the 2018 session on January 9, here is my pre-session update.

The opioid crisis will be the biggest issue coming to the Health Subcommittee which I chair. I was able to have a couple of opioid related bills jacketed this past week and I have some others waiting to get jacketed depending on a few more discussions. I look forward to hearing the discussions and taking the lead on several aspects of this issue. I am expecting a multitude of opioid related bills to come through my committee and may organize a special meeting to listen to all the potential bills.

Aside from the opioid issue, last week, I was corresponding with legislators, an attorney, and physicians from other states to on how they are tackling a particular bipartisan medical issue. This issue has been going on for some time, and I have been working on a solution for a while. Of all things, on New Years Eve, I was speaking to a democrat physician legislator about how his state was addressing the issue. I’m working on drafting legislation on this issue, but can’t give specifics as it is too early and I may not be the one to carry the bill.

I, will, also, be carrying a bill with Dr. Briggs that should streamline a medical service to help decrease the morbidity and mortality of patients……more details to come later when we file the bill.

I will, also, be carrying at least one, if not more, bills related to education. When they get filed, I will be able to go into more detail, but there are at least three bills that I will either carry or be a prime co-sponsor. These issues directly impact Rutherford and Murfreesboro City Schools, and at least two of the bills were spurred on by problems related to testing that occurred in our county. These bills, also, help address some of the concerns brought forth by our school boards during the education round table that I hosted.

I have, also, agreed to carry a bill with Senator Ketron that will directly impact MTSU. When we file it, we will provide more information and details. It will bring some jobs and an educational opportunity to the area.

Over the last several months, college students across the state have been bringing awareness to an injustice on their campus. Working with these students, we hope to change the code to correct this injustice. Yesterday, I was able to sit down with the student leader on this issue and we have the rough draft of the legislation in hand. I will be meeting with legal services this week to have it drafted. Students are the largest constituency in many districts. Students across the state know that I stand up for them every chance I get, and I look forward to being the voice of students on this issue.

As most people are probably aware, medical marijuana or cannabis based treatments will be discussed this session. Senator Dickerson and Representative Faison held a task force this fall to discuss the issue and draft possible legislation. Most recently in the news, Attorney General Jeff Sessions revoked the Obama era Cole Memorandum which, essentially, instructed federal prosecutors to not prosecute individuals in states who legalize forms of cannabis. Congress has some bills to decriminalize or reschedule cannabis, but it is uncertain if they will act. So, the impact of the revocation of the Cole memo on possible medical cannabis treatment legislation is yet to be determined.

Of note, however, is a federal lawsuit by a 12 year old girl by the name of Alexis Bortell against AG Sessions that is pending. The lawsuit would essentially either reschedule or de-schedule cannabis as her civil rights are being violated due to her medical treatment.

As chairman of the health subcommittee and to further educate myself and, hopefully, other legislators and the public, I was able to conduct an exclusive one hour interview and follow up questionnaire with Alexis and her father, Dean. I am awaiting permission from her legal team to release the questionnaire and more details from the interview. In addition, Mr. Bortell has offered to testify before our General Assembly depending on the timing and the lawsuit.

What I can impart is the history of Alexis and her treatment with her seizure disorder.

She lived in Texas, and began having seizures at the age of 7. By age 9, she had been on multiple anti-seizure medications and had suffered many side effects from those medications. Yet, she still had intractable seizures.

Faced with a lifetime of major medication side effects, intractable seizures, and a limited quality of life, her parents were given two potential medical options. Alexis could have a craniotomy which would involve surgery on her brain. The part of the brain that would have involved surgery would impact her personality, ability to think or reason, and her memory. Her other option was to move to another state and try cannabis based treatments. If cannabis based treatment failed, she could then have surgery, but if she tried surgery first and it failed, she would be forever changed. The family chose to move to Colorado and seek treatment there.

Alexis has been under a physician’s care and has participated in research projects while in Colorado. She is perhaps the most researched and tested patient in America. Of note, she currently takes two medications. One is an oil that contains a high CBD to THC ratio that is her maintenance medication which she takes twice a day. This oil is called Haleigh’s Hope. The other is a higher THC cannabis based oral spray called Cannatol RX to treat auras which signal an impending seizure. These auras present themselves to Alexis as a tingling sensation on her scalp or visual spots in her field of view. She self administers the THC when the symptoms present and has access to the THC spray on school grounds at her school in Colorado.

Since becoming stable on her medication on Day 33 of her treatment, she has been seizure free for nearly three years. She has had to use the oral THC spray less than 20 times to prevent seizures. She is growing like an otherwise healthy girl with minimal if any side effects. Aside from the limitations placed on her due to cannabis laws, she is able to lead a normal life. One that she would not be able to lead if she still lived in Texas or even Tennessee.

Of note, there are around 70,000 Tennesseans with a seizure disorder. Roughly, 5000 are minors like Alexis. That translates to over 700 patients and 50 children in each legislative district who could potentially see the same medical benefits as Alexis without the major side effects of anti-seizure medications.

In addition, I have heard candidates for legislative and gubernatorial office opine that big Pharma already has drugs to treat seizures or that we already have “medical marijuana” in a drug called Marinol. In the case of Alexis and countless others like her, those medications either don’t control the seizures or they have severe side effects. Marinol, the synthetic THC that is legal in Tennessee and every state, takes 30-45 minutes to take effect which isn’t fast enough to treat an impending seizure; whereas, the nasal and oral THC sprays works almost instantly.

Sativex and Epidiolex are potential cannabis based FDA approved medications coming down the pipeline, yet neither medication would provide the ratios of THC to CBD necessary to treat patients like Alexis. And neither would provide the flexibility to treat these patients as their metabolism changes during puberty.

Ultimately, the action that our Tennessee General Assembly takes may very well depend on the action taken at the federal level, the result of the lawsuit, or the kind of legislation put forth by Senator Dickerson and Representative Faison. Regardless, after speaking with the Bortell’s, it is clear that the current system is failing many patients. Telling Tennesseans who are in the same position as Alexis to just keep suffering from medication side effects, move to another state, or have a partial lobotomy isn’t the answer.

As always, it is an honor and a privilege to serve District 48 as your state representative. Please, follow my updates on BryanTerry4TN.com, on Facebook at Dr. Bryan Terry, or on Twitter at @BryanTerry4TN.

With Liberty,

Rep. Bryan Terry, MD

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Rep. Bryan Terry Hosts Speaker Beth Harwell For Saint Thomas Rutherford Hospital Tour

November 16, 2017 By Admin

(MURFREESBORO), November 9, 2017 — State Representative Bryan Terry, MD (R-Murfreesboro) and administrative and operating room leaders from Ascension Health System hosted Tennessee House Speaker Beth Harwell (R-Nashville) for a tour of Saint Thomas Rutherford Hospital yesterday.

The tour coincided with an announcement made by the Tennessee Health Services and Development Agency which paves the way for a $47 million investment related to expansion of the facility, as well as construction of a new surgical treatment center to be located on New Salem Highway.

As part of the project, St. Thomas Rutherford Hospital will add 72 new hospital beds — bringing its total to 385. Additionally, a new Clinical Decision Unit is planned near the current emergency room. When completed, it will provide an additional 25 beds for patients who require hospital stays of less than 24 hours. Construction has already begun and is expected to be completed by the summer of 2018.

“With the continued growth we are experiencing in Rutherford County and the increase in services provided by the hospital, I am pleased to see these critical upgrades made to our current health system,” said Representative Terry. “Additionally, I am grateful to Speaker Harwell for visiting with us and listening to the concerns and experiences of our physicians, nurses, and staff.”

The tour began with a visit to the perioperative area which includes a holding area, recovery room, as well as the main operating suite which houses 12 operating rooms. It included a stop in the emergency department, as well as the neonatal intensive care unit where Speaker Harwell listened intently to physicians and others about their experiences. Representative Terry — an anesthesiologist at the hospital and the Chairman of the House Health Subcommittee — believes the timing of the tour was excellent.

“Together, Speaker Harwell and I were able to better understand some of the challenges facing our thriving community which will enable us to potentially create new solutions to address some of these issues during the upcoming legislative session,” stated Terry.

“I would like to thank Representative Terry and the staff at Saint Thomas Rutherford Hospital for providing an opportunity for me to see some of the remarkable progress this facility has made to accommodate the community’s astounding growth,” said Speaker Harwell. “It was also very powerful to hear firsthand experience from physicians, nurses, and staff related to the treatment of patients in acute or perioperative pain, as well as those facing opioid addiction.”

In recent years, Tennessee has experienced a startling increase in instances of Neonatal Abstinence Syndrome (NAS) related to the state’s continuing opioid crisis. NAS occurs when a baby is exposed to drugs in the womb before birth and can cause serious health issues. Approximately 90 percent of NAS pregnancies tend to be unplanned, and babies who are born with NAS usually require longer hospital stays at a cost of almost $48,000 in TennCare expenses in the first year of life.

“Since Neonatal Abstinence Syndrome is a major concern across our state, I appreciate the doctors, nurses, and staff who shared their valuable insight and experiences with me related to this troubling issue affecting some of our youngest citizens,” said Speaker Harwell. “Their powerful words and testimony will help all of us work to address a critical aspect of Tennessee’s opioid crisis.”

“The opioid issue is a concern in the medical community and at the Capitol. Being an anesthesiologist and a legislator, I am seeing its impact in both areas; finding solutions that protect legitimate patients while preventing the harm caused by abuses will require us to examine all options and work together as a legislative body in 2018 and in future years,” concluded Terry.

Bryan Terry, MD serves as Chairman of the House Health Subcommittee, as well as a member of the House Health and Civil Justice Committees. He lives in Murfreesboro and represents House District 48, which includes the eastern half of Rutherford County. Terry can be reached by calling (615) 741-2180 or emailing: Rep.Bryan.Terry@capitol.tn.gov.

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Rep. Bryan Terry, MD To Serve On New Wellness Caucus

November 16, 2017 By Admin

(NASHVILLE) November 16, 2017 — State Representative Bryan Terry (R-Murfreesboro) today announced that he will serve on a new Wellness Caucus created by members of the Tennessee General Assembly and in collaboration with the Governor’s Foundation for Health and Wellness.

The caucus is chaired by State Representative Ryan Williams (R-Cookeville) and Senator Bo Watson (R-Hixson). It consists of 37 members — including 28 Republicans — from both the House and Senate who will study and propose new solutions to important health and wellness issues in communities across the state.

While Nashville is considered a health care hub for our entire nation, Tennessee still remains one of the least healthy states in the country. Approximately one in four adults smokes, and one in five high school students uses tobacco. Additionally, 33 percent of the state’s population is classified as obese, and type-2 diabetes and high blood pressure are at near-epidemic levels in all regions of the state.

Caucus members will help shape future public policy so that Tennesseans impacted by some of these adverse health conditions are able to make lifestyle changes that will improve their health and overall quality of life.

“I am honored to be asked to serve on this new Wellness Caucus,” stated Representative Terry, who is also Chairman of the House Health Subcommittee. “Many of the health problems we face in our district including the opioid epidemic, diabetes, and hypertension impact all regions of Tennessee. This caucus provides an opportunity for all members of the General Assembly — including those who do not currently serve on our health committees — to establish goals and shape the future landscape of health and well-being in our state.”

For more information about the Governor’s Foundation for Health & Wellness, please visit: http://healthierTN.com.

Bryan Terry, MD serves as Chairman of the House Health Subcommittee, as well as a member of the House Health and Civil Justice Committees. He lives in Murfreesboro and represents House District 48, which includes the eastern half of Rutherford County. Terry can be reached by calling (615) 741-2180 or emailing: Rep.Bryan.Terry@capitol.tn.gov.

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