Shofner Bill Studies 50 Years Of Health Data, Then Expires

The text as introduced · 985 words

2025S0136-1 02/24/25

By: Shofner
H.B. No. 4210

A BILL TO BE ENTITLED

AN ACT

relating to a study by the Texas Tech University Health Sciences

Center on health, nutrition, physical activity, and chronic health

issues in this state.

BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF TEXAS:

SECTION 1. DEFINITIONS. In this Act:

(1) "Blue zone" means one of five geographic regions

of the world with the highest percentage of individuals who live to

be at least 100 years of age.

(2) "Child health plan program" means the programs

established under Chapters 62 and 63, Health and Safety Code.

(3) "Health science center" means the Texas Tech

University Health Sciences Center.

(4) "Medicaid" means the medical assistance program

established under Chapter 32, Human Resources Code.

(5) "Sweetened beverage" means a nonalcoholic

beverage with an added natural or artificial sweetener that is sold

for human consumption.

SECTION 2. STUDY. (a) The Texas Tech University Health

Sciences Center shall conduct a study on health, nutrition,

physical activity, and chronic health issues in this state.

(b) Using existing available information from the preceding

50 years, the study must:

(1) analyze historical changes in dietary habits

categorized by per capita consumption, including:

(A) changes in average daily caloric intake;

(B) changes in the consumption of:

(i) fresh fruits, vegetables, and other

whole foods;

(ii) red meat, poultry, and processed

meats; and

(iii) milk, butter, and cheese;

(C) a comparison of trends between refined grain

and whole grain consumption;

(D) trends in the increased consumption of:

(i) ultra-processed foods;

(ii) soda and other sweetened beverages;

and

(iii) added sugars in all food products;

(E) the expansion of the fast food industry and

the effects of the fast food industry on consumption trends;

(F) the use of high fructose corn syrup as a

sweetener in food and beverage products; and

(G) the use of industrial seed oils in food

products;

(2) analyze historical changes in the per capita

consumption of drugs and other substances, including:

(A) the consumption of:

(i) tea, coffee, energy drinks, and other

sources of caffeine; and

(ii) distilled spirits, malt beverages, and

wine; and

(B) the frequency of prescription opioid use and

trends in the abuse or misuse of opioids;

(3) assess historical changes in physical activity

levels, including:

(A) changes in sedentary behavior such as

increased screen time and the role of work and school environments

in affecting an individual's amount of physical activity;

(B) the decline of physical activity levels of

students in schools; and

(C) trends in recreational activity and gym

memberships;

(4) track the prevalence of chronic diseases and other

chronic health issues across various demographics and age groups,

including:

(A) obesity;

(B) Type 2 diabetes;

(C) cardiovascular disease;

(D) Alzheimer's disease and dementia;

(E) depression and other mental health

disorders;

(F) the correlation between chronic health

issues and deaths caused by suicide;

(G) autism;

(H) infertility and related conditions;

(I) nonalcoholic fatty liver disease;

(J) diet-related cancers, including colorectal

and breast cancer; and

(K) sleep disorders such as insomnia, sleep

apnea, and other conditions related to lifestyle;

(5) evaluate blue zones to identify best practices

linked to health and a long life expectancy;

(6) analyze trends in state and federal health care

spending as follows:

(A) increases in spending for the Medicaid

program, including per capita cost, enrollment increases, and

factors contributing to the increases;

(B) increases in federal spending for Medicare,

including the trends in the cost for individual enrollees,

prescription drug costs, and hospital care expenditures; and

(C) trends in this state's spending for the child

health plan program;

(7) analyze private insurance costs, including:

(A) historical information on the increased

price of health insurance premiums for employers and individuals;

(B) increases in average deductibles, copays,

and other direct costs to individuals with private insurance; and

(C) changes to the cost of an employer health

benefit plan as a portion of an employee's total compensation; and

(8) evaluate the broader economic impact of the rise

in chronic disease and related chronic health issues on:

(A) total health care spending as a percentage of

the total gross domestic product of this state;

(B) the average amount of household income spent

on health care costs in the United States;

(C) the average amount of medical debt incurred

by individuals in the United States;

(D) the percentage of uninsured individuals in

this state and the financial impact on hospitals and emergency

services of providing health care services to those individuals;

(E) the cost of prescription drugs in this state,

including the cost of specialty medications and the impact of

patents, generic drugs, and biosimilar drugs on the cost of

prescription drugs; and

(F) the growth of administrative expenses as a

share of the total health care costs in this state.

(c) To the extent possible, the study must prioritize the

use of Texas-specific data. In instances where state-level data is

unavailable, national data may be used as a substitute, with clear

distinctions being noted in the study's findings to ensure

transparency and prevent misrepresentation of statewide trends.

SECTION 3. STATE AGENCY ASSISTANCE. On request of the

health science center, the Department of State Health Services, the

Health and Human Services Commission, the Department of

Agriculture, and the Texas Education Agency shall provide

information to assist the health science center in completing the

study under this Act.

SECTION 4. COLLABORATION. The health science center may

collaborate with other relevant state and federal agencies as

necessary to conduct the study required under this Act.

SECTION 5. REPORT. Not later than September 1, 2026, the

health science center shall submit to the Health and Human Services

Commission and any standing committee of the legislature with

primary jurisdiction over health and safety a written report of the

study conducted under Section 2 of this Act.

SECTION 6. EXPIRATION. This Act expires January 1, 2027.

SECTION 7. EFFECTIVE DATE. This Act takes effect September

1, 2025.