Tennessee Code Title 68. Health, Safety and Environmental Protection § 68-61-103

(a) The general assembly declares that the following are necessary providers of healthcare services to area residents:

(b) Through its declaration in subsection (a), the general assembly recognizes the indispensable role these hospitals play in their respective communities, and acknowledges that prior to their closures both hospitals acted as necessary providers of healthcare services, including during a number of years prior to 2006.