Bill Text: TX HB3105 | 2015-2016 | 84th Legislature | Engrossed

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Bill Title: Relating to the establishment of a multi-stakeholder advisory committee on health literacy.

Spectrum: Bipartisan Bill

Status: (Engrossed - Dead) 2015-05-07 - Referred to Health & Human Services [HB3105 Detail]

Download: Texas-2015-HB3105-Engrossed.html

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84R15431 LED-D
By: Bonnen of Galveston, Lucio III, Blanco, H.B. No. 3105
Guillen

A BILL TO BE ENTITLED
AN ACT
relating to the establishment of a multi-stakeholder advisory
committee on health literacy.
BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF TEXAS:
SECTION 1. Chapter 1002, Health and Safety Code, is amended
by adding Subchapter F to read as follows:
SUBCHAPTER F. MULTI-STAKEHOLDER ADVISORY COMMITTEE ON HEALTH
LITERACY
Sec. 1002.251. DEFINITIONS. In this subchapter:
(1) "Advisory committee" means the multi-stakeholder
advisory committee on health literacy established under this
subchapter.
(2) "Health literacy" means the degree to which an
individual has the capacity to obtain, communicate, process, and
understand basic health information and services so the person may
make appropriate decisions about the treatment, payment, or
coverage of health care and navigate complexities in the health
care system.
Sec. 1002.252. MULTI-STAKEHOLDER ADVISORY COMMITTEE ON
HEALTH LITERACY. The institute shall establish a multi-stakeholder
advisory committee on health literacy to study and make
recommendations to improve health literacy in this state.
Sec. 1002.253. COMPOSITION OF ADVISORY COMMITTEE. The
advisory committee is composed of:
(1) three members of the board selected by the
presiding officer of the board;
(2) a representative from each of the following
agencies, selected by the executive head of the agency:
(A) the Department of Aging and Disability
Services;
(B) the center for elimination of
disproportionality and disparities;
(C) the Employees Retirement System of Texas;
(D) the Teacher Retirement System of Texas; and
(E) each state agency or system of higher
education that purchases or provides health care services, as
determined by the governor;
(3) the following representatives appointed by the
governor:
(A) three employers domiciled in this state; and
(B) three health care consumers; and
(4) the following ex officio members:
(A) the commissioner or the commissioner's
designee;
(B) the commissioner of insurance or the
commissioner of insurance's designee; and
(C) the state Medicaid director of the commission
or the director's designee.
Sec. 1002.254. PRESIDING OFFICER. The board shall appoint
from among the members of the advisory committee a presiding
officer and an assistant presiding officer.
Sec. 1002.255. VACANCY. A vacancy on the advisory
committee shall be filled by appointment in the same manner as the
original appointment.
Sec. 1002.256. MEETINGS. The advisory committee shall meet
at the call of the presiding officer.
Sec. 1002.257. DUTIES. (a) The advisory committee shall:
(1) develop an expanded definition of health literacy
that includes a focus on a patient's need for transparent
information about the cost and quality of health care and available
treatment options;
(2) examine the impact of low health literacy on
health care cost and quality outcomes; and
(3) develop policy recommendations, based on the
findings of the advisory committee, to:
(A) promote the use of plain language by health
care providers;
(B) promote the use of simplified enrollment
forms;
(C) develop health literacy resources for both
providers and consumers of health care; and
(D) develop programs to support improved health
literacy.
(b) The advisory committee may consult with and invite
participation from groups, organizations, and agencies as needed to
accomplish the goals of the committee.
Sec. 1002.258. ADMINISTRATIVE SUPPORT. The institute shall
provide administrative support for the advisory committee.
Sec. 1002.259. REPORT. (a) The advisory committee shall
prepare a report that includes the committee's findings and policy
recommendations under Section 1002.257.
(b) Not later than October 1, 2016, the advisory committee
shall submit the report required under this section to the
institute for inclusion in the institute's biennial report and
recommendations to the legislature.
Sec. 1002.260. COMPENSATION; REIMBURSEMENT. Members of the
advisory committee serve without compensation and may not be
reimbursed for travel or other expenses incurred while conducting
the business of the advisory committee.
Sec. 1002.261. EXPIRATION. The advisory committee is
abolished and this subchapter expires September 1, 2017.
SECTION 2. Not later than December 1, 2015, the appropriate
appointing authorities shall appoint the members of the
multi-stakeholder advisory committee on health literacy in
accordance with Subchapter F, Chapter 1002, Health and Safety Code,
as added by this Act.
SECTION 3. This Act takes effect September 1, 2015.