BILL ANALYSIS



C.S.H.B. 1415
By: McDonald
03-28-95
Committee Report (Substituted)


BACKGROUND

Osteoporosis is a preventable and treatable bone disease that
affects about 25 million Americans, 80 percent of whom are women
over the age of 50. It is the cause of 1.5 million bone fractures
annually, including more than 300,000 hip fractures. Many of those
who break a hip because of  osteoporosis never walk again without
help, and as many as 50,000 die each year from post-fracture
complications.

Preventative measures and early diagnosis can help women avoid the
negative effects undiagnosed osteoporosis can produce. 
Unfortunately, most women learn about osteoporosis only after it is
too late, usually following a fracture.  Educating women that
osteoporosis is a common and dangerous disease can help motivate
them to take the necessary steps to avoid or mitigate the disease's
effects (calcium rich diets, regular weight-bearing exercise, and
regular physical check-ups).

The key to widespread prevention of the negative effects of
undiagnosed osteoporosis is early detection and educating women to
take the necessary steps to lessen the likelihood of developing the
disease.

PURPOSE

H.B. 1415 directs the Commissioner of Health to develop a statewide
program to promote public awareness of osteoporosis detection,
prevention, and treatment. The bill also authorizes the
commissioner to appoint a task force to make recommendations on
strategies for educating the public on the benefits of early
detection and prevention of osteoporosis.

RULEMAKING AUTHORITY

It is the committee's opinion that this bill does not expressly
grant any additional rulemaking authority to a state officer,
department, agency, or institution.

SECTION BY SECTION ANALYSIS

SECTION 1.  Adds Chapter 90 to Subtitle D, Title 2, Health and
Safety Code, as follows:

Sec. 90.001. Outlines legislative findings, which describe the
importance of early detection and prevention of osteoporosis.

Sec. 90.002.  Requires the Commissioner of Health, in consultation
with the Texas Board of Health, to develop a program promoting
public awareness of osteoporosis detection, prevention and
treatment.

Sec. 90.003. Authorizes the Commissioner to appoint a task force to
make recommendations on strategies for educating the public on the
health benefits of early detection and prevention of osteoporosis. 
Members of the task force created under this section are not
entitled to compensation, a per diem, or expense reimbursement.

SECTION 2.  Emergency clause.
COMPARISON OF ORIGINAL TO SUBSTITUTE

Substantive changes in the substitute to H.B. 1415 include deletion
of the $250,000 per year biennial appropriation and related fiscal
oversight functions authorized in the introduced version of the
bill. The Advisory Council for the Prevention of Osteoporosis
created in the introduced version is redefined as a task force
without the formal membership or appointment requirements
enumerated in the introduced version. Several non-substantive
language changes recommended by Texas Legislative Council are
incorporated in the substitute bill.

SUMMARY OF COMMITTEE ACTION

H.B. 1415 was considered by the committee in a public hearing March
28, 1995. The committee considered a complete substitute to the
bill. The substitute was adopted without objection.

The following persons testified in favor of the bill:
Steven Petak, M.D., representing self and American Association of
Clinical Endocrinologists.
Rogene Tesar, Ph.D., representing self.

The bill was reported favorably as substituted, with the
recommendation that it do pass and be printed, by a record vote of
6 Ayes, 0 Nays, 0 PNV, and 3 Absent.