Latest news with #RaumeshAkbari
Yahoo
25-03-2025
- Health
- Yahoo
TN lawmaker proposes allowing for 12-month supply of birth control in bill
NASHVILLE, Tenn. (WKRN) — A Memphis Democrat wants those buying birth control to be able to receive one year's supply in the state of Tennessee. Sen. Raumesh Akbari has proposed SB 589, which would require all health plans, as defined in state law, to provide contraceptive coverage in 12-month refills of the drug at one time for someone insured. According to present law, health plans that provide prescription coverage for birth control must allow for 12-month supplies unless the patient requests a smaller amount; however, present law does not require a health benefit plan to cover contraceptives provided by a doctor or at a pharmacy that does not participate in that specific plan. Akbari's bill would change the definition of 'health benefit plan' to include a 'hospital, surgical, or medical expense policy; health, hospital or medical service corporation contract; a policy or agreement entered into by a health insurer, or a health maintenance organization contract offered by an employer; other plan administered by the state; or a certificate issued under those policies, contracts or plans.' The bill would also prohibit any health plan that provides hormonal contraceptive coverage from imposing 'utilization controls' or other forms of 'medical management' that limit the supply of contraceptives to anything less than a 12-month supply. Additionally, the bill revises the definition of 'contraceptive' to remove the requirement that the contraceptive be one that is 'legally marketed' by the FDA. ⏩ According to the fiscal note on the bill, estimates on how much the bill could cost up to $1.4 million starting in Fiscal Year 2026. The effective date on the bill would be Jan. 1, 2026. Lawmakers were set to discuss the bill in the Senate Commerce and Labor Committee on Tuesday, March 25. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
Yahoo
11-03-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
Bill could eliminate grocery tax on fruits, vegetables in Tennessee
NASHVILLE, Tenn. (WKRN) — Healthy eating could come with a smaller price tag in Tennessee if a bill to cut the state's grocery tax on fruits and vegetables passes. The bill, sponsored by Sen. Raumesh Akbari (D-Memphis) and Rep. John Ray Clemmons (D-Nashville) would eliminate the 4% grocery tax on fresh, frozen, and canned fruits and vegetables. 'The bottom line is this: people are already struggling to make ends meet,' Sen Akbari said. 'They're trying their best, they're working, a lot of them are members of the working poor, and they face constant increases on healthcare, housing, gas, and even food. The basic necessities folks need to survive.' RELATED: More states want to stop taxing groceries The bill was supposed to be debated in its first House subcommittee Tuesday, but it was deferred to next week. Both Democrats and Republicans also have their own bills to cut the grocery tax on all items, but the Speaker of the House, Cameron Sexton (R-Crossville) told journalists he doesn't believe an entire cut would pass. 'If you want to look at milk and eggs and butter and bread, let's have a conversation, but to say we're going to repeal the whole grocery tax and we want to give someone a tax break for someone for buying a Snickers bar over here or a frozen pizza, yeah, I don't foresee that,' Speaker Sexton said. WATCH: Bill proposes ban on 'SNAP' junk food purchases Grocery shoppers told News 2 any kind of grocery tax cut would help. 'I think it'll go a long way on helping folks who are struggling right now with inflation and everything that's happening in the world,' Richard Donnell, who lives in Nashville, said. 'I would be saving a great cost,' Neva Garnerharding, who lives in Nashville, said. 'I'd be saving about $200 to $300.' Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
Yahoo
06-02-2025
- Health
- Yahoo
Abortion-related bills filed in the 114th General Assembly
NASHVILLE, Tenn. (WKRN) — Since the 114th General Assembly has gaveled in and completed their special session on education, immigration and disaster relief funding, Tennessee lawmakers will soon shift their focus to other issues they would like to address through legislation. One topic that will be address this year is abortion. Currently, lawmakers have filed around half a dozen bills related to abortion. Here are some of the abortion-related bills lawmakers hope to see passed this session. The first abortion-related bill filed by lawmakers was filed by Democrats. Nashville Rep. Harold Love and Memphis Sen. Raumesh Akbari filed this bill, which carves out exemptions for what constitutes an abortion in Tennessee. Specifically, the bill clarifies the use of contraceptives is not included in the legal definition of 'abortion' in the state, including 'any device, medication, biological product, or procedure that is general intended for us in the prevention of pregnancy' as well as the disposal of embryos resulting from fertility treatments. When Tennessee's trigger law banning abortion went into effect in 2022 after the fall of Roe v. Wade by the Supreme Court, there was confusion around whether or not those receiving IVF treatments would be breaking the law if not all of the embryos created were carried to term. This bill would make clear those receiving IVF would not be running afoul of the abortion ban. This bill, filed by Brentwood Republican Rep. Gino Bulso and Hohenwald Republican Sen. Joey Hensley, would prohibit someone from mailing or delivering an 'abortion-inducing drug' into the state. Gun legislation filed in the Tennessee General Assembly An 'abortion-inducing' drug is defined in the bill as any medication that is intended to be used to terminate the life of an 'unborn child,' including mifepristone, misoprostol, and mifeprex (RU-846). It would not include misoprostol intended to treat stomach ulcers. If someone violates this statute by mailing the drugs to Tennessee and they are used successfully, whoever mailed them would be liable for $5 million in damages if someone brings legal action within five years. On the other side of the coin, Rep. Aftyn Behn (D-Nashville) and Sen. London Lamar (D-Memphis) filed the 'Reproductive Freedom Act.' The bill, as filed, declares every person has a 'fundamental right' to their own reproductive care, including having an abortion or using contraceptives and states a fertilized egg, embryo, or fetus does not have 'independent or derivative rights' under state law. The bill also deletes provisions of current law restricting access to abortions, such as through 'ambulatory surgical treatment center' requirements, requirements for final disposal of fetal remains, a mandate to erect a monument to unborn children with state funds, reporting requirements for those who perform and receive abortions, a requirement to show a pro-life video titled 'Meet Baby Olivia' and more. ⏩ This bill takes a less extreme stance than the 'Reproductive Freedom Act.' Filed by Chattanooga Democrat Rep. Yusuf Hakeem, this bill clarifies that a 'criminal abortion' in Tennessee does not include abortions received after a woman has been the victim of rape or incest. Tennessee's current abortion ban contains no such exemptions. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
