HB4210 - Relating to a study by the Texas Tech University Health Sciences Center on health, nutrition, physical activity, and chronic health issues in this state.

  2025S0136-1 02/24/25     By: Shofner H.B. No. 4210     A BILL TO BE ENTITLED   AN ACT   relating to a study by the Texas Tech University Health Sciences   Center on health, nutrition, physical activity, and chronic health   issues in this state.          BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF TEXAS:          SECTION 1.  DEFINITIONS. In this Act:                (1)  "Blue zone" means one of five geographic regions   of the world with the highest percentage of individuals who live to   be at least 100 years of age.                (2)  "Child health plan program" means the programs   established under Chapters 62 and 63, Health and Safety Code.                (3)  "Health science center" means the Texas Tech   University Health Sciences Center.                (4)  "Medicaid" means the medical assistance program   established under Chapter 32, Human Resources Code.                (5)  "Sweetened beverage" means a nonalcoholic   beverage with an added natural or artificial sweetener that is sold   for human consumption.          SECTION 2.  STUDY. (a) The Texas Tech University Health   Sciences Center shall conduct a study on health, nutrition,   physical activity, and chronic health issues in this state.          (b)  Using existing available information from the preceding   50 years, the study must:                (1)  analyze historical changes in dietary habits   categorized by per capita consumption, including:                      (A)  changes in average daily caloric intake;                      (B)  changes in the consumption of:                            (i)  fresh fruits, vegetables, and other   whole foods;                            (ii)  red meat, poultry, and processed   meats; and                            (iii)  milk, butter, and cheese;                      (C)  a comparison of trends between refined grain   and whole grain consumption;                      (D)  trends in the increased consumption of:                            (i)  ultra-processed foods;                            (ii)  soda and other sweetened beverages;   and                            (iii)  added sugars in all food products;                      (E)  the expansion of the fast food industry and   the effects of the fast food industry on consumption trends;                      (F)  the use of high fructose corn syrup as a   sweetener in food and beverage products; and                      (G)  the use of industrial seed oils in food   products;                (2)  analyze historical changes in the per capita   consumption of drugs and other substances, including:                      (A)  the consumption of:                            (i)  tea, coffee, energy drinks, and other   sources of caffeine; and                            (ii)  distilled spirits, malt beverages, and   wine; and                      (B)  the frequency of prescription opioid use and   trends in the abuse or misuse of opioids;                (3)  assess historical changes in physical activity   levels, including:                      (A)  changes in sedentary behavior such as   increased screen time and the role of work and school environments   in affecting an individual's amount of physical activity;                      (B)  the decline of physical activity levels of   students in schools; and                      (C)  trends in recreational activity and gym   memberships;                (4)  track the prevalence of chronic diseases and other   chronic health issues across various demographics and age groups,   including:                      (A)  obesity;                      (B)  Type 2 diabetes;                      (C)  cardiovascular disease;                      (D)  Alzheimer's disease and dementia;                      (E)  depression and other mental health   disorders;                      (F)  the correlation between chronic health   issues and deaths caused by suicide;                      (G)  autism;                      (H)  infertility and related conditions;                      (I)  nonalcoholic fatty liver disease;                      (J)  diet-related cancers, including colorectal   and breast cancer; and                      (K)  sleep disorders such as insomnia, sleep   apnea, and other conditions related to lifestyle;                (5)  evaluate blue zones to identify best practices   linked to health and a long life expectancy;                (6)  analyze trends in state and federal health care   spending as follows:                      (A)  increases in spending for the Medicaid   program, including per capita cost, enrollment increases, and   factors contributing to the increases;                      (B)  increases in federal spending for Medicare,   including the trends in the cost for individual enrollees,   prescription drug costs, and hospital care expenditures; and                      (C)  trends in this state's spending for the child   health plan program;                (7)  analyze private insurance costs, including:                      (A)  historical information on the increased   price of health insurance premiums for employers and individuals;                      (B)  increases in average deductibles, copays,   and other direct costs to individuals with private insurance; and                      (C)  changes to the cost of an employer health   benefit plan as a portion of an employee's total compensation; and                (8)  evaluate the broader economic impact of the rise   in chronic disease and related chronic health issues on:                      (A)  total health care spending as a percentage of   the total gross domestic product of this state;                      (B)  the average amount of household income spent   on health care costs in the United States;                      (C)  the average amount of medical debt incurred   by individuals in the United States;                      (D)  the percentage of uninsured individuals in   this state and the financial impact on hospitals and emergency   services of providing health care services to those individuals;                      (E)  the cost of prescription drugs in this state,   including the cost of specialty medications and the impact of   patents, generic drugs, and biosimilar drugs on the cost of   prescription drugs; and                      (F)  the growth of administrative expenses as a   share of the total health care costs in this state.          (c)  To the extent possible, the study must prioritize the   use of Texas-specific data.  In instances where state-level data is   unavailable, national data may be used as a substitute, with clear   distinctions being noted in the study's findings to ensure   transparency and prevent misrepresentation of statewide trends.          SECTION 3.  STATE AGENCY ASSISTANCE. On request of the   health science center, the Department of State Health Services, the   Health and Human Services Commission, the Department of   Agriculture, and the Texas Education Agency shall provide   information to assist the health science center in completing the   study under this Act.          SECTION 4.  COLLABORATION. The health science center may   collaborate with other relevant state and federal agencies as   necessary to conduct the study required under this Act.          SECTION 5.  REPORT. Not later than September 1, 2026, the   health science center shall submit to the Health and Human Services   Commission and any standing committee of the legislature with   primary jurisdiction over health and safety a written report of the   study conducted under Section 2 of this Act.          SECTION 6.  EXPIRATION. This Act expires January 1, 2027.          SECTION 7.  EFFECTIVE DATE. This Act takes effect September   1, 2025.