(NASHVILLE) — This week, Republican lawmakers passed legislation sponsored by State Representative John Crawford (R-Kingsport) that permits licensed team physicians to practice sports medicine in Tennessee under the guidelines established by the state.
House Bill 952, also known as the Visiting Sports Team Act, was initiated by the American Orthopedic Society for Sports Medicine. It allows traveling team physicians at the collegiate, amateur or professional level to use their existing medical licenses to treat athletes, coaches and team staff who are 18 years of age or older.
The Visiting Sports Team Act also limits the distribution of controlled substances — including opioids — as part of a team physician’s method of treatment. Under the law, physicians are required to report information related to the dispensing of a controlled substance to both the State of Tennessee’s controlled substance database, as well as the controlled substance database in the state where the physician is licensed.
“This legislation is long overdue in our state and will ensure that visiting athletes and coaches receive the treatment they need in order to perform at the highest level,” said Representative Crawford. “It will also curb the overprescribing of opioids and other controlled substances by physicians, thanks to the reporting methods established by the law.”
Tennessee continues to be one of the worst states in the nation for opioid abuse. Currently, an estimated 69,100 Tennesseans are addicted to prescription opioids and also require treatment for prescription opioid abuse. Additionally, 151,900 Tennesseans are using prescription opioids in ways that could be harmful and may benefit from early intervention strategies.
The full text of House Bill 952 can be accessed by visiting the Tennessee General Assembly website at: http://www.capitol.tn.gov/Bills/110/Bill/HB0952.pdf
John Crawford serves as a member of the House Local Government Committee and Subcommittee, as well as the House Finance, Ways & Means Committee and House Calendar & Rules Committee. He lives in Kingsport and represents House District 1, which encompasses a portion of Sullivan County. He can be reached by email at [email protected] or by calling (615) 741-7623.
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