2025 marks the fourth year of publication of the Tennessee Disability Scorecard. In many ways 2025 is a year unlike the others. Uncertainty about programs, and funding at the Federal level create new challenges for the state. Federal funding makes up nearly 42% of the state’s budget. The percentage of Federal funding is even higher for many of the programs and services needed by people with disabilities. Federal funds make up 93.4% of Human Services funding, 61% of the TennCare Bureau, and 57.8% of the Health Department. Reductions in federal funding for some programs have already taken place. In addition to the impacts to the state budget and programs, the federal budget bill passed in 2025 comes with other potential hits to financial stability and independence for many Tennesseans with disabilities, making the state’s response even more important.
The state has seen its scorecard grade drop from a D+ in 2022 to a D in 2024. This reflected not only the everyday experiences of Tennesseans with disabilities, but also the lack of urgency and progress made by our state’s lawmakers and state agencies in improving their lives. Sadly, 2025 is not very different.
While the positive work of the Governor and General Assembly in 2025 is important and helpful, it is also limited. Commitments to expand access to care in the form of additional funding in Long Term supports and services and mental health are tempered by actions that expand the use of segregated facilities. The state failed to address the growing need for affordable, accessible, and supportive housing, and reduced capacity to support the employment of individuals with disabilities. For 2025 the State has earned an incomplete.
Previous Scorecards:
2024 Tennessee Disability Scorecard