By: Bonnen of Galveston H.B. No. 3105
A BILL TO BE ENTITLED
AN ACT
Relating to the establishment of a multi-stakeholder taskforce on
health literacy in Texas.
BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF TEXAS:
SECTION 1. Subchapter A, Chapter 1002, Texas Health and
Safety Code, is amended by adding Sec. 1002.001(13) and Sec.
1002.001 (14) to read as follows:
(13) "Health Literacy" means the degree to which
individuals have the capacity to obtain, communicate, process, and
understand basic health information and services to make
appropriate health decisions in the treatment, payment, or
coverage of care while successfully navigating complex health care
systems.
(14) "Task Force" means the Multi-Stakeholder
Taskforce on Health Literacy
SECTION 2. Chapter 1002, Texas Health and Safety Code, is
amended by adding Subchapter F. HEALTH LITERACY to read as follows:
Sec. 1002.203. MULTI-STAKEHOLDER TASKFORCE ON HEALTH
LITERACY. (a) Not later than December 1, 2015, the Texas Institute
of Health Care Quality & Efficiency shall establish the task force
to
(b) Establish a broad definition of health literacy, to
include a focus on the patient's need for transparent information
about health care cost, quality, and treatment options.
(c) Examine impact of low health literacy on health care
cost and quality outcomes.
(d) Develop policy recommendations and submit a brief to the
Institute for inclusion in the Institute's biennial report to the
Legislature and Health and Human Services Enterprise no later than
December 31, 2016 related to
(i) Promotion of plain language by health
care providers and simplified enrollment forms.
(ii) Development of health literacy
resources for health care providers and residents of Texas.
(iii) Development of programs to support
residents of this state in understanding health care information.
Section 1002.204 COMPOSITION OF THE HEALTH LITERACY
TASKFORCE (a) the following representatives shall be identified by
the Institute and invited to serve on the taskforce:
(b)
The following members shall be invited to serve on the
taskforce:
(i) Three members of the Institute of the
board of directors to be selected by the chair of the board
(ii) The commissioner of insurance
(iii) The commissioner of the health
department
(iv) The state Medicaid director
(v) A representative of the aging and
disability services
(vi) A representative of the center for
disparities and disproportionality
(vii) A representative of the Employees
Retirement System of Texas
(viii) A representative of the Teachers
Retirement System of Texas
(ix) A representative from each state
agency or system of higher education that purchases or provides
health care services as determined by the board.
(x) Three employers domiciled in Texas
(xi) Three consumer representatives
(c) The chair of the board shall appoint a lead and
vice-lead to facilitate taskforce activities.
(d) The taskforce may consult with and invite participation
from other groups, organizations, and agencies as needed.
SECTION 3. This Act takes effect September 1, 2015.