NASHVILLE, Tenn. — Tennessee Orthopaedic Society President Dr. Eric Bowman joined lawmakers, patients and health care providers Wednesday at the Cordell Hull Building to advocate for changes in insurance practices that speakers said are delaying critical medical care.
The event, held in Nashville, was hosted by state Rep. Dan Howell, R-Cleveland, and Sen. Bo Watson, R-Hixson. Lawmakers and providers discussed legislation aimed at ensuring patients receive timely and appropriate treatment without unnecessary delays or denials of medically necessary procedures.
Speakers said insurance practices, including prior authorization requirements and automated claim reviews, can postpone care and create barriers for patients needing surgery and other treatments.
“What we’re asking for is reforms in our area so we can continue to provide the care that we need to help our patients,” Dr. Bowman said during the gathering.
Howell said he hopes Tennessee will set a national example.
“I hope that Tennessee can lead the wave across the United States, because we’ve led the wave in many other areas,” Howell said. “I hope this will be a beginning of leading other states in taking action.”
Organizers said Tennessee providers and patients deserve a health care system that prioritizes care over corporate interests. Bowman attended the event in his role as TOS president, underscoring the organization’s support for efforts to protect the physician-patient relationship and ensure medical decisions remain guided by clinical expertise.