Subcommittee approves bill to terminate Ballad Health COPA agreement

The Tennessee House Health Subcommittee approved a bill Wednesday that would terminate the Certificate of Public Advantage (COPA) for Ballad Health, which is Tennessee’s regulatory structure that regulates Ballad’s inpatient hospital monopoly. The bill would end the Tennessee Department of Health oversight of Ballad starting in mid-2028. The state attorney general would maintain limited oversight of any pricing agreements in place at that time, which would last five years or until any inpatient competition exists in Ballad’s market. Lawmakers say the change would strengthen accountability and act as a step toward restoring a more competitive health care system in the region. The bill pass through it’s Senate committee last week.