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A BILL TO BE ENTITLED
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AN ACT
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relating to a study by the Texas Tech University Health Sciences |
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Center on health, nutrition, physical activity, and chronic health |
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issues in this state. |
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BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF TEXAS: |
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SECTION 1. DEFINITIONS. In this Act: |
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(1) "Blue zone" means one of five geographic regions |
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of the world with the highest percentage of individuals who live to |
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be at least 100 years of age. |
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(2) "Child health plan program" means the programs |
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established under Chapters 62 and 63, Health and Safety Code. |
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(3) "Health science center" means the Texas Tech |
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University Health Sciences Center. |
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(4) "Medicaid" means the medical assistance program |
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established under Chapter 32, Human Resources Code. |
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(5) "Sweetened beverage" means a nonalcoholic |
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beverage with an added natural or artificial sweetener that is sold |
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for human consumption. |
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SECTION 2. STUDY. (a) The Texas Tech University Health |
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Sciences Center shall conduct a study on health, nutrition, |
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physical activity, and chronic health issues in this state. |
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(b) Using existing available information from the preceding |
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50 years, the study must: |
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(1) analyze historical changes in dietary habits |
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categorized by per capita consumption, including: |
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(A) changes in average daily caloric intake; |
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(B) changes in the consumption of: |
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(i) fresh fruits, vegetables, and other |
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whole foods; |
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(ii) red meat, poultry, and processed |
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meats; and |
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(iii) milk, butter, and cheese; |
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(C) a comparison of trends between refined grain |
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and whole grain consumption; |
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(D) trends in the increased consumption of: |
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(i) ultra-processed foods; |
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(ii) soda and other sweetened beverages; |
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and |
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(iii) added sugars in all food products; |
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(E) the expansion of the fast food industry and |
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the effects of the fast food industry on consumption trends; |
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(F) the use of high fructose corn syrup as a |
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sweetener in food and beverage products; and |
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(G) the use of industrial seed oils in food |
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products; |
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(2) analyze historical changes in the per capita |
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consumption of drugs and other substances, including: |
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(A) the consumption of: |
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(i) tea, coffee, energy drinks, and other |
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sources of caffeine; and |
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(ii) distilled spirits, malt beverages, and |
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wine; and |
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(B) the frequency of prescription opioid use and |
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trends in the abuse or misuse of opioids; |
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(3) assess historical changes in physical activity |
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levels, including: |
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(A) changes in sedentary behavior such as |
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increased screen time and the role of work and school environments |
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in affecting an individual's amount of physical activity; |
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(B) the decline of physical activity levels of |
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students in schools; and |
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(C) trends in recreational activity and gym |
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memberships; |
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(4) track the prevalence of chronic diseases and other |
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chronic health issues across various demographics and age groups, |
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including: |
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(A) obesity; |
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(B) Type 2 diabetes; |
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(C) cardiovascular disease; |
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(D) Alzheimer's disease and dementia; |
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(E) depression and other mental health |
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disorders; |
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(F) the correlation between chronic health |
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issues and deaths caused by suicide; |
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(G) autism; |
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(H) infertility and related conditions; |
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(I) nonalcoholic fatty liver disease; |
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(J) diet-related cancers, including colorectal |
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and breast cancer; and |
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(K) sleep disorders such as insomnia, sleep |
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apnea, and other conditions related to lifestyle; |
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(5) evaluate blue zones to identify best practices |
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linked to health and a long life expectancy; |
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(6) analyze trends in state and federal health care |
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spending as follows: |
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(A) increases in spending for the Medicaid |
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program, including per capita cost, enrollment increases, and |
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factors contributing to the increases; |
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(B) increases in federal spending for Medicare, |
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including the trends in the cost for individual enrollees, |
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prescription drug costs, and hospital care expenditures; and |
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(C) trends in this state's spending for the child |
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health plan program; |
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(7) analyze private insurance costs, including: |
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(A) historical information on the increased |
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price of health insurance premiums for employers and individuals; |
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(B) increases in average deductibles, copays, |
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and other direct costs to individuals with private insurance; and |
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(C) changes to the cost of an employer health |
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benefit plan as a portion of an employee's total compensation; and |
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(8) evaluate the broader economic impact of the rise |
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in chronic disease and related chronic health issues on: |
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(A) total health care spending as a percentage of |
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the total gross domestic product of this state; |
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(B) the average amount of household income spent |
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on health care costs in the United States; |
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(C) the average amount of medical debt incurred |
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by individuals in the United States; |
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(D) the percentage of uninsured individuals in |
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this state and the financial impact on hospitals and emergency |
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services of providing health care services to those individuals; |
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(E) the cost of prescription drugs in this state, |
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including the cost of specialty medications and the impact of |
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patents, generic drugs, and biosimilar drugs on the cost of |
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prescription drugs; and |
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(F) the growth of administrative expenses as a |
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share of the total health care costs in this state. |
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(c) To the extent possible, the study must prioritize the |
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use of Texas-specific data. In instances where state-level data is |
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unavailable, national data may be used as a substitute, with clear |
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distinctions being noted in the study's findings to ensure |
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transparency and prevent misrepresentation of statewide trends. |
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SECTION 3. STATE AGENCY ASSISTANCE. On request of the |
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health science center, the Department of State Health Services, the |
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Health and Human Services Commission, the Department of |
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Agriculture, and the Texas Education Agency shall provide |
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information to assist the health science center in completing the |
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study under this Act. |
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SECTION 4. COLLABORATION. The health science center may |
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collaborate with other relevant state and federal agencies as |
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necessary to conduct the study required under this Act. |
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SECTION 5. REPORT. Not later than September 1, 2026, the |
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health science center shall submit to the Health and Human Services |
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Commission and any standing committee of the legislature with |
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primary jurisdiction over health and safety a written report of the |
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study conducted under Section 2 of this Act. |
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SECTION 6. EXPIRATION. This Act expires January 1, 2027. |
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SECTION 7. EFFECTIVE DATE. This Act takes effect September |
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1, 2025. |