TN Governor Signs AL Hospice Legislation

From left: Brookdale Senior Living CEO Bill E. Sheriff, Sen. Diane Black, and Gov. Phil Bredesen.

Gov. Phil Bredesen (D-TN) yesterday approved legislation that allows
residents in Tennessee’s assisted living communities to receive hospice
services. The Tennessee House of Representatives and Senate had
previously approved the legislation (SB 2614 and HB 2729) in their
respective chambers by unanimous votes. The legislation will allow
residents in assisted living communities to receive hospice services as
long as a resident’s physician certifies that appropriate hospice care
can be provided at the community. The bill does not require providers
to file a waiver with the Tennessee Department of Health.

Gov. Bredesen, in his remarks at the ALFA Tennessee Chapter’s
Advocacy Day held on March 12-13, expressed his support for this long
overdue right of seniors and disabled citizens living in Tennessee’s
assisted living communities. The Tennessee Chapter of ALFA
(TENNESSEE-ALFA) and ALFA express their sincere appreciation to Gov.
Bredesen and legislation sponsors, Rep. JoAnne Favors (D-Chattanooga)
and Sen. Diane Black (R-Gallatin), for their leadership on this issue.