HB1295 - Relating to a health literacy plan developed by the statewide health coordinating council and the inclusion of health literacy in the state health plan.

  89R1029 SRA-F     By: Plesa, Jones of Harris, LaHood, Pierson, H.B. No. 1295       Rose, et al.       A BILL TO BE ENTITLED   AN ACT   relating to a health literacy plan developed by the statewide   health coordinating council and the inclusion of health literacy in   the state health plan.          BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF TEXAS:          SECTION 1.  Section 104.002, Health and Safety Code, is   amended by adding Subdivision (6) to read as follows:                 (6)     "Health literacy" means the degree to which an   individual has the capacity to find, understand, and use health   information and services to inform health-related decisions and   actions.          SECTION 2.  Subchapter B, Chapter 104, Health and Safety   Code, is amended by adding Section 104.0156 to read as follows:           Sec.   104.0156.     HEALTH LITERACY PLAN. (a)   The statewide   health coordinating council shall develop a long-range plan for   improving health literacy in this state. The council shall update   the plan at least once every two years.           (b)     In developing the long-range plan, the statewide health   coordinating council shall study the economic impact of low health   literacy on state health programs and health insurance coverage for   state residents.   The council shall:                 (1)     identify primary risk factors contributing to low   health literacy;                 (2)     examine methods for health care practitioners,   health care facilities, and other persons to address the health   literacy of patients and other health care consumers;                 (3)     examine the effectiveness of using quality   measures in state health programs to improve health literacy;                 (4)     identify strategies for expanding the use of plain   language instructions for patients; and                 (5)     examine the impact of improved health literacy on   enhancing patient safety, reducing preventable events, and   increasing medication adherence to attain greater   cost-effectiveness and better patient outcomes in the provision of   health care.           (c)     Not later than November 1 of each even-numbered year,   the statewide health coordinating council shall submit the   long-range plan developed or updated under this section to the   governor, the lieutenant governor, the speaker of the house of   representatives, and each member of the legislature.          SECTION 3.  Sections 104.022(e) and (f), Health and Safety   Code, are amended to read as follows:          (e)  The state health plan shall be developed and used in   accordance with applicable state and federal law. The plan must   identify:                (1)  major statewide health concerns , including the   prevalence of low health literacy among health care consumers ;                (2)  the availability and use of current health   resources of the state, including resources associated with   information technology and state-supported institutions of higher   education; and                (3)  future health service, information technology,   and facility needs of the state.          (f)  The state health plan must:                (1)  propose strategies for :                       (A)  correcting [ the correction of ] major   deficiencies in the service delivery system;                       (B)     improving health literacy to attain greater   cost-effectiveness and better patient outcomes in the provision of   health care;                       (C)  [ (2)  propose strategies for ] incorporating   information technology in the service delivery system; and                       (D)  [ (3)  propose strategies for ] involving   state-supported institutions of higher education in providing   health services and for coordinating those efforts with health and   human services agencies in order to close gaps in services; and                 (2)  [ (4) ]  provide direction for the state's   legislative and executive decision-making processes to implement   the strategies proposed by the plan.          SECTION 4.  This Act takes effect September 1, 2025.