BILL ANALYSIS

H.B. 1972

By: Oliverson

Higher Education

Committee Report (Unamended)

BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE

Health care spending in the United States rose to $4.9 trillion annually, according to the American Medical Association, with the CDC attributing over 90 percent of those health care expenditures to chronic and mental health conditions. The bill author has informed the committee that, despite the critical role of nutrition in preventing and managing chronic diseases, most Texas medical schools provide limited education on the subject and that physicians often receive minimal training in nutrition, leaving them less equipped to offer dietary guidance to patients or understand potential underlying causes of chronic disease. H.B. 1972 seeks to strengthen nutrition-related training for medical professionals and improve patient care and health outcomes.

CRIMINAL JUSTICE IMPACT

It is the committee's opinion that this bill does not expressly create a criminal offense, increase the punishment for an existing criminal offense or category of offenses, or change the eligibility of a person for community supervision, parole, or mandatory supervision.

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.

ANALYSIS

H.B. 1972 amends the Education Code to require each medical school or any other public institution of higher education, or school, department, or college of such an institution, that awards medical degrees, to include at least three hours of coursework in nutrition in the curriculum required for a medical degree. The coursework must cover, at a minimum, information about the following:

· normal caloric intake for healthy adults;

· diet modifications for individuals with food allergies, diabetes, or other chronic conditions that require diet modification;

· the importance of proper nutrition as a primary strategy to prevent certain diseases and conditions, such as diabetes, hypertension, and obesity; and

· additives commonly found in food and beverage products produced in the United States, as opposed to food and beverage products produced in foreign countries.

The bill prohibits this coursework from being developed, funded, or influenced by a pharmaceutical company or a food or beverage company. The bill adds a temporary provision set to expire January 1, 2032, establishing that the bill's provisions do not apply to the requirements for the degree program of a student who entered the degree program at a medical school before the 2026 spring semester.

EFFECTIVE DATE

On passage, or, if the bill does not receive the necessary vote, September 1, 2025.