The bill, S.B. No. 641, aims to enhance health literacy in Texas by mandating the statewide health coordinating council to develop a long-range health literacy plan. This plan will be updated every two years and will include a study on the economic impact of low health literacy on state health programs and insurance coverage. The council is tasked with identifying risk factors contributing to low health literacy, examining methods for healthcare practitioners to address this issue, and evaluating the effectiveness of quality measures in improving health literacy. Additionally, the council must submit the developed or updated plan to key state officials by November 1 of each even-numbered year.

Furthermore, the bill amends the state health plan to include the prevalence of low health literacy among healthcare consumers as a major statewide health concern. It proposes strategies for improving health literacy to achieve better patient outcomes and cost-effectiveness in healthcare provision. The bill also emphasizes the importance of incorporating information technology and involving state-supported institutions of higher education in health services to address service delivery gaps. The act is set to take effect on September 1, 2025.

Statutes affected:
Introduced: Health and Safety Code 104.002, Health and Safety Code 104.022 (Health and Safety Code 104)