Tennessee Ranked Among Worst in America for Health Care in 2025 Report

When it comes to your health, where you live really does matter. A new report from WalletHub shows us just how big the differences can be from state to state – and unfortunately, it’s not great news for the Volunteer State.

How This Study Measures and Ranks Health Care Systems

WalletHub analyzed all 50 states and the District of Columbia to determine where Americans get the best (and worst) health care. The report looked at three major categories: cost, access, and outcomes, along with dozens of subcategories within those. It’s a deep dive into what kind of care people receive, how easily they can get it, and how much they pay for it. As one WalletHub analyst put it, “The best health care in the nation isn’t helpful if it bankrupts the people who try to get it, and cheap health care isn’t worth paying for if it provides subpar or ineffective treatment.”

ALSO READ: Tennessee Ranks 42nd in 2025 Best States for Nurses

Tennessee’s Health Care Performance

So, how did Tennessee fare? Not great. Overall, the state ranks 44th in the country for health care quality, which means only seven states are worse.

Breaking Down Tennessee's Numbers

• Cost Rank: Tennessee ranked 25th, and being in the middle of the pack is about the only bright spot – it means health care is relatively affordable in the state.
• Access Ranks: Tennessee ranked 32nd, indicating serious barriers to care, from doctor availability to EMS response times.
• Outcomes Rank: This is, by far, the most concerning category. Tennessee ranked 48^th – meaning patient health results like life expectancy, chronic disease rates, and mortality statistics are among the worst in the country.

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If you take a few minutes to look over the FULL REPORT, you will notice an interesting trend - most of America's worst health care can be found in the South, except for Alaska, which is ranked #50. Scroll over the map below to see exactly what I'm talking about.