Elections Matter — Especially for the Future of Healthcare in Middle Tennessee
Last week, Tennessee voters cast their ballots for federal and state primary elections and local general elections, marking an important step in deciding who will shape Tennessee’s future— from education and public safety to the quality, accessibility, and affordability of healthcare.
Smart healthcare policy remains a central focus for Better Health for Middle Tennessee. Our communities need healthcare infrastructure that can keep pace with rapid population growth and a rising demand for care—and policymakers have an important role in creating an environment where providers can respond to that demand.
Looking ahead, newly elected federal, state and local lawmakers will make important decisions that influence the growth of healthcare services, the development of new hospitals and care centers, and providers’ ability to respond to the needs of Tennessee's evolving population.
How Smart Policy Can Expand Access to Care
Middle Tennessee’s rapid growth is putting significant pressure on the state’s healthcare infrastructure. As this growth continues, policies that encourage innovation, investment, and greater access to care will be essential to keeping pace with community needs.
This year, Tennessee lawmakers took an important step to address rising demand for care by repealing the state's certificate of need (CON) requirements for acute care hospitals and other critical healthcare services. The reform unlocked nearly $207 million in federal funding and removed unnecessary government barriers to establishing sites of care. Now, providers are better equipped to meet growing demand and ensure that Middle Tennesseans can access high-quality, affordable care closer to home.
Lawmakers are also making important healthcare decisions at the local level, approving new care centers to meet the region's evolving needs. Over the last year, the Tennessee Health Facilities Commission has approved four major new freestanding emergency departments to address rapid population growth across Middle Tennessee and at least 12 major medical care centers, emergency hubs and specialized clinical facilities have been officially approved or opened.
In early August, Vanderbilt Health opened a new Nashville Acute Care Center, giving patients faster access to specialist evaluation and advanced diagnostics. In Williamson County, the Tennessee Health Facilities Commission approved two new freestanding emergency departments for the growing Fairview community, one from Ascension Saint Thomas and one from TriStar Horizon Medical Center, representing a combined investment of more than $41 million in an area that previously had no emergency care of its own. These are exactly the kinds of health care investments the repeal of CON laws was designed to enable.
Some decisions lawmakers will face are intended to equip existing healthcare providers to meet future need. In Williamson County, Williamson Health is moving forward with a proposed ownership change to Ascension Saint Thomas. The transition marks a significant change for a healthcare system that has served the community for generations and an important responsibility for county leaders as they consider healthcare delivery in the region long-term.
After Election Day, The Work Continues
Decisions made now will shape the future of healthcare access in Middle Tennessee.
High-quality healthcare does not happen in a vacuum; it depends on thoughtful policies and leaders who understand their communities’ needs. Decisions of this magnitude must be made transparently and with accountability, and must center what matters most: protecting patients, strengthening access to care, and ensuring that Middle Tennessee's healthcare infrastructure is prepared to meet future needs.
Elections are an important part of that process – they give Tennesseans a voice in the decisions that affect their communities and their healthcare. As newly elected and returning officials prepare for the work ahead, Better Health for Middle Tennessee will continue to advocate for policies that expand healthcare access in every corner of the region.
###