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A BILL TO BE ENTITLED
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AN ACT
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relating to a study on prevention and reduction of diabetes-related |
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amputation. |
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BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF TEXAS: |
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SECTION 1. (a) In this Act: |
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(1) "Department" means the Department of State Health |
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Services. |
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(2) "Institution of higher education" has the meaning |
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assigned by Section 61.003, Education Code. |
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(b) The Texas Higher Education Coordinating Board shall |
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designate an institution of higher education to conduct a study on |
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the prevention and reduction of diabetes-related amputation, using |
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existing institutional resources. The institution must have a |
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Research Activity Designation: Research 1: Very High Research |
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Spending and Doctorate Production under the 2025 Carnegie |
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Classification of Institutions of Higher Education. |
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(c) In conducting the study, the institution of higher |
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education designated under Subsection (b) of this section shall: |
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(1) collaborate with the department; |
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(2) identify and examine information on amputations |
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resulting from diabetes; and |
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(3) develop recommendations regarding: |
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(A) amputation prevention related to diabetic |
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foot ulcers and peripheral artery disease; |
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(B) methods for increasing public awareness of |
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diabetes-related amputation; |
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(C) best practices for reducing the number of |
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amputations performed; and |
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(D) policy solutions for ensuring access to |
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treatments to assist with preventing amputation, including: |
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(i) insurance coverage for therapies |
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designed to treat diabetic foot ulcers, including topical oxygen |
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therapy; |
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(ii) timely and equitable access to |
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evidence-supported medical tools, technologies, and services to |
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assist with the prevention of avoidable amputations; |
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(iii) methods to improve and incentivize |
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quality care to avoid amputations when possible; and |
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(iv) methods to promote collaboration and |
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cooperation among interested persons. |
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(d) In conducting the study, the institution of higher |
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education designated under Subsection (b) of this section shall |
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consult with the following individuals: |
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(1) the commissioner of state health services; |
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(2) a physician licensed in this state who specializes |
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in endocrinology; |
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(3) a nurse licensed in this state with expertise in |
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diabetes education; |
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(4) a vascular surgeon with expertise in amputation |
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prevention; |
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(5) a physician, physician assistant, or advanced |
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practice registered nurse with expertise in amputation prevention; |
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(6) a podiatrist with expertise in treating diabetic |
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foot ulcers; |
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(7) a podiatrist or vascular surgeon affiliated with |
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the United States Department of Veterans Affairs; |
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(8) a representative of a public health provider; |
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(9) at least three individuals diagnosed with diabetes |
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or who have experienced diabetes-related amputation; |
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(10) a representative of the American Diabetes |
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Association; and |
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(11) other individuals as the institution determines |
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necessary. |
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(e) Not later than September 1, 2026, the institution of |
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higher education designated under Subsection (b) of this section |
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shall prepare and submit to the department a report summarizing the |
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results of the study and containing recommendations for legislative |
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or other action. The department shall post the report on the |
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department's Internet website. The post must include: |
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(1) the information on which the institution's |
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determinations and recommendations are based; and |
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(2) the methodologies the institution used to conduct |
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the study. |
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SECTION 2. This Act expires September 1, 2027. |
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SECTION 3. This Act takes effect September 1, 2025. |
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* * * * * |