Department of Finance & Administration
Mark Emkes, Commissioner

The Division of Health Planning was created by action of the Tennessee General Assembly and signed in to law by Governor Phil Bredesen (TCA § 68-11-1625). It is charged with creating a State Health Plan. The text of the law follows.

• There is created the state health planning division of the department of finance and administration. It is the purpose of the planning division to create a state health plan that is evaluated and updated at least annually. The plan shall guide the state in the development of health care programs and policies and in the allocation of health care resources in the state.



• It is the policy of the state of Tennessee that:
  1. Every citizen should have reasonable access to emergency and primary care;
  2. The state's health care resources should be developed to address the needs of Tennesseans while encouraging competitive markets, economic efficiencies and the continued development of the state's health care industry;
  3. Every citizen should have confidence that the quality of health care is continually monitored and standards are adhered to by health care providers; and
  4. The state should support the recruitment and retention of a sufficient and quality health care workforce.
• The planning division shall be staffed administratively by the department of finance and administration in a manner that the department deems necessary for the performance of the planning division's duties and responsibilities, which may include contracting for the services provided by the division through a private person or entity.



• The duties and responsibilities of the planning division include:
  1. To develop and adopt a State Health Plan, which must include, at a minimum, guidance regarding allocation of the state's health care resources;
  2. To submit the State Health Plan to the Health Services and Development Agency for comment;
  3. To submit the State Health Plan to the Governor for approval and adoption;
  4. To hold public hearings as needed;
  5. To review and evaluate the State Health Plan at least annually;
  6. To respond to requests for comment and recommendations for health care policies and programs;
  7. To conduct an ongoing evaluation of Tennessee's resources for accessibility, including, but not limited to, financial, geographic, cultural, and quality of care;
  8. To review the health status of Tennesseans as presented annually to the Division by the Department of Health and the Department of Mental Health and Developmental Disabilities;
  9. To review and comment on federal laws and regulations that influence the health care industry and the health care needs of Tennesseans;
  10. To involve and coordinate functions with such State entities as necessary to ensure the coordination of State health policies and programs;
  11. To prepare an annual report for the General Assembly and recommend legislation for its consideration and study;
  and
  12. To establish a process for timely modification of the State Health Plan in response to changes in technology, reimbursement and other developments that affect the delivery of health care.