H.R. No. 435
R E S O L U T I O N
WHEREAS, Cardiovascular disease is the leading cause of death
in the United States, and approximately 21 million U.S. patients
have been diagnosed with atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease,
indicating that they are at risk of a cardiovascular event; and
WHEREAS, In Texas, health care professionals have diagnosed
angina, strokes, heart attacks, or coronary heart diseases for more
than 1,790,000 adults, and these conditions have been identified as
manifestations of atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease; in
addition, over 864,000 adult Texans have reported experiencing a
heart attack in their lifetime, and more than 798,000 have reported
experiencing a stroke; the heart disease death rate in Texas is 328
deaths per 100,000 individuals over the age of 35, surpassing the
national rate of 319.5; and
WHEREAS, Research shows that atherosclerotic cardiovascular
disease is linked to the buildup of cholesterol in the arteries, and
the risk of cardiovascular events can be reduced by decreasing
low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-C) levels; nearly 70
million U.S. adults had higher than recommended LDL-C levels in
2016, and more than 43 million U.S. residents are currently being
treated with lipid-lowering therapies to manage cardiovascular
risk; statins are one of the leading lipid-lowering therapies, and
20 percent of atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease patients
taking statins have achieved healthy levels of LDL-C; and
WHEREAS, The total direct and indirect cost of
atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease in the U.S. was $555 billion
in 2016, and the cost is projected to reach $1.1 trillion by 2035;
each year, the State of Texas spends an estimated $10.53 billion on
direct medical expenses for health care related to atherosclerotic
cardiovascular disease; and
WHEREAS, Cardiovascular diseases impact the lives of
countless residents across the state, and it is vital that these
Texans have access to quality health care; now, therefore, be it
RESOLVED, That the House of Representatives of the 88th Texas
Legislature hereby urge the Texas Department of State Health
Services and the Texas Health and Human Services Commission to
expand their comprehensive cardiovascular screening programs and
explore ways to collaborate with federal and national agencies and
organizations to establish or expand cardiovascular screening
programs; and, be it further
RESOLVED, That the Texas cardiovascular plan should be
updated to enhance the quality of care rendered to patients and
improve health outcomes; and, be it further
RESOLVED, That the House of Representatives of the 88th Texas
Legislature hereby express support for the creation of policies to
lower the rates of death caused by atherosclerotic cardiovascular
disease; and, be it further
RESOLVED, That the chief clerk of the Texas House of
Representatives forward an official copy of this resolution to the
commissioners of the Texas Department of State Health Services and
the Texas Health and Human Services Commission.
Raymond
______________________________
Speaker of the House
I certify that H.R. No. 435 was adopted by the House on May
12, 2023, by the following vote: Yeas 143, Nays 0, 2 present, not
voting.
______________________________
Chief Clerk of the House