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.