Monday, October 26, 2020
Public Affairs Conference Agenda Includes:
2021 Legislative Session Preview: Major Business Issues
Governor's office | Legislative Leaders | Lobbyist Panel
State Department Commissioners Panel

Recent news you don't want to miss..
TN Department of Health Launches New COVID-19 Website
Find Information Quicker and Easier, Searchable by County
Launched last week, the Tennessee Department of Health has a new website, making it easier and quicker to search for COVID-19 data, testing sites and more. The data dashboards, which are shared daily at 2:00pm CT, can also be found directly linked on this page.

Governor Lee is continuing to encourage mask wearing, as COVID-19 case counts continue to rise in October. While there is no statewide mask mandate, Gov. Lee did extend an executive order that allows the majority of Tennessee’s counties the option to require face coverings in public.

Three counties, surrounding Davidson County, have reinstated the mask mandates through the end of 2020: Sumner, Williamson and Wilson. “I appreciate the Governor giving us the tools to address this issue without forcing a one-size-fits-all state-wide order,” Mayor Rogers Anderson (Williamson County) said. “I believe local government is best positioned to make these decisions, even when they are difficult. At the end of the day, I believe this order in in the best interest of our community.”

Listen to the Waller Podcast, joined by TN Chamber President Bradley Jackson:
How Tennessee COVID-19 Liability Legislation Protects
Companies, Workers, Economy
As businesses across the U.S. reopen, employers from nearly every industry have expressed deep concern that they will soon be subject to unwarranted litigation despite investing significant costs and efforts to implement protective measures designed to keep their employees and customers safe. Earlier this year, Tennessee became one of the states that passed COVID-19 liability legislation. In this episode, Nicole Watson, an attorney in the firm's Government Relations group, is joined by Bradley Jackson, president and CEO of the Tennessee Chamber to talk about the effort to make this legislation a reality. Click here to listen/read the transcript>>
Please take a few minutes to complete the annual Vital Signs resident survey. Each year the Nashville Area Chamber of Commerce and the Greater Nashville Regional Council partner together in reaching out to the citizens living in the Greater Nashville Region to ask them about issues important to them and their communities. Responses to this survey are then aggregated and inform regional and local leaders about issues important to the community through our Vital Signs report.
 
This year’s resident survey is especially timely given the challenges our communities have faced over the last several months in light of COVID-19. This opportunity at feedback will undoubtedly help shape discussions and solutions during this period of recovery and resilience throughout our region.


Tennessee Chamber Urges You to Mentor: 3,500 Mentors Still Needed

Now more than ever, our students need a support system to navigate the college application process. Volunteering as a mentor is one of the best ways we can help first generation Tennessee Promise students get off to a great start and succeed in college! 

TnAchieves still needs more than 3,500 mentors to ensure every student has access to a local mentor in 2021! Click below to apply ...
Chamber Members: Save Now on Health Insurance:
TN Chamber Health Initiative Featured by Media Statewide:

Chattanooga Times Free Press: State Chamber adds health insurance plan
The Tennessee Chamber of Commerce and Industry announced a new collaboration Monday with Aetna, a CVS Health company, and the Vanderbilt Health Affiliated Network (VHAN) to offer small businesses access to one of Aetna's self-funded health plans at a significant discount.
 
The plan, known as TN Chambers Health, offers businesses with two to 100 full-time eligible employees an average annual discount of $144 per employee, according to Bradley Jackson, president of the Tennessee Chamber.
 
"We frequently hear what a challenge affordable health coverage is for small business," Jackson said. "This plan is a great opportunity for both chambers of commerce across our great state and their business members to obtain quality healthcare coverage and receive a sizeable discount for being a chamber of commerce member."
The Tennessee Chamber of Commerce & Industry has partnered with Aetna and Vanderbilt Health Affiliated Network to provide small businesses access to a self-funded health plan option at discounted rates.
 
According to a press release, the plan will offer businesses with two to 100 full-time eligible employees an average annual discount of $144 per employee. Dubbed TN Chambers Health, plan members can access these discounts by tapping into VHAN’s network of nearly 6,000 providers, 700 hospitals, 13 health systems and 120 walk-in and urgent care clinics across the state. Additional benefits include digital enrollment, benefits administration, fitness classes and shared savings in overcharged claims. 


The Tennessee Chamber of Commerce & Industry, in partnership with Aetna, is excited to offer TN Chambers Health (TNCH) to our members, as well as to employees and members of chambers of commerce across TN. Through years of research, conducting statewide surveys, working with our Health Plan Committee, meeting with possible providers, and issuing a formal RFI, Aetna was the only plan submitted available statewide and across state lines, offering significant discounts and broker neutrality, built for small groups, and delivering much more.