Tennessee Bills SB 2040 and HB 1959 put patients at risk

Feb 24, 2026

Bills currently moving through the Tennessee state legislature could cut off access to medicine for families, active-duty military members and more, while disrupting care for more than 180,000 Tennesseans.

patient opens prescription drug bottle at home

Tennesseans deserve convenient and affordable access to medicine – whether they require life-sustaining therapies, plan to start or grow a family, need treatment for a military service-related injury, or anything in between. Many of those living in the state today depend on mail-order and specialty pharmacies for their health.

Senate Bill (SB) 2040 and House Bill (HB) 1959 put this access to care at risk. If enacted, these bills could disrupt care for those who rely on specialty and mail-order pharmacies across the state.

What is Tennessee SB 2040 and HB 1959 and what do they mean for pharmacy access?

If passed, SB 2040 and HB 1959 would ban pharmacies affiliated with pharmacy benefit managers (PBMs) from operating in the state, which means patients in Tennessee who rely on Evernorth’s family of pharmacies – including Express Scripts Pharmacy, Accredo Specialty Pharmacy, Freedom Fertility, and VFP Pharmacy Group – would be cut off from affordable and convenient access to medications and the associated clinical support we provide.

Here’s what it could mean for you or your family in the Volunteer State if SB 2040 and HB 1959 become law:

SB 2040 and HB 1959 ban convenient home delivery of medicines delivered by Express Scripts Pharmacy

In 2025 alone, more than 2 million prescriptions were conveniently delivered to patients throughout Tennessee from Express Scripts Pharmacy.
SB 2040 and HB 1959 could force these patients to scramble to figure out new ways to get their medications.
In addition to losing home delivery options, over 150 retail pharmacies could be forced to close their doors, leaving even fewer options for patients. This will be especially challenging for those that live in rural areas where they may already have limited retail pharmacy options.

SB 2040 and HB 1959 ban care for complex, chronic, and rare conditions delivered by Accredo Specialty Pharmacy

Accredo dispensed more than 168,000 prescriptions that treat complex conditions to Tennessee patients in 2025.
Accredo’s specially trained nurses provided more than 10,000 hours of care directly to patients in their homes across Tennessee in 2025. For patients with conditions like pulmonary arterial hypertension and hemophilia, these are services that cannot be replaced by other pharmacy options.
Specialty medications often go to Tennessee’s most vulnerable patients like those who are homebound. Without Accredo, they not only lose access to the medications and nurses themselves, but other critical services such as around-the-clock clinical support and more.
- For example, patients on continuous infusions have access to 24/7 support, with an Accredo nurse made available any time, day or night, to help troubleshoot any issues with medication infusions.
Memphis is also home to an Accredo Rare Disease Therapeutic Resource Center (TRC) – staffed by 150 local residents – dedicated to delivering expertise and personalized care to patients with rare and ultra-rare disease conditions. This is the only facility like it in the state, offering specialized support and capabilities that aren’t available through traditional pharmacies.

SB 2040 and HB 1959 ban fertility treatments delivered by Freedom Fertility Pharmacy and VFP Pharmacy Group

Evernorth’s Freedom Fertility Pharmacy is a key partner in TrumpRx. In fact, Freedom Fertility dispensed TrumpRx’s first medication to a patient who was featured at its White House launch event.
Our affiliated fertility pharmacies provide services to hundreds of women in Tennessee, delivering more than 9,000 prescriptions last year alone.
Hundreds of women trying to build their families could have their fertility treatments, including IVF, disrupted – potentially even mid-cycle, which could lead to failed treatment.
At a time when our country is working to strengthen the ability of families to grow, SB 2040 and HB 1959 aren’t just bad policy – they’re bad for America.

Speaking out against SB 2040 and HB 1959 on behalf of active-duty military members, retirees, and their families

Among the more than 180,000 people we support in Tennessee are thousands of active-duty military members, retirees, and their families.

These Americans also deserve to have the medicine they need quickly, at a price they can afford, and without disruption. For those who live in one of Tennessee’s rural counties, access to convenient mail-order pharmacy services is even more critical. In some cases, it can be a matter of life or death.

By disrupting their access to medications and other health care services, SB 2040 and HB 1959 also put these military members and their loved ones at risk. As a company that has proudly supported active-duty military members as well as veterans in Tennessee and across the country for decades, we know this is not acceptable.

Read through the following related resources for more information and check back for updates as we continue to fight for Tennesseans.