2025S0136-1 02/24/25
By: Perry S.B. No. 1645
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.