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Bill

HB 1295

Relating to a health literacy plan developed by the statewide health coordinating council and the inclusion of health literacy in the state health plan.

89th Legislature (2025) Introduced by Salman Bhojani and 5 co-sponsors

Texas requires the state health coordinating council to create a health literacy plan aimed at improving public health communication and patient understanding statewide.

Received from the House
#health--general(i0385) #literacy(s0178) #statewidehealthcoordinatingcouncil(v0090)
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Bill Summary · HB 1295

Legislative bill overview

HB 1295 requires Texas's statewide health coordinating council to develop a comprehensive health literacy plan and incorporate health literacy goals into the state health plan. The bill mandates assessment of current health literacy levels and strategies to improve public health communication and patient understanding across the state.

Why is this important

Health literacy directly affects health outcomes, healthcare costs, and health equity. Poor health literacy correlates with higher hospitalization rates, medication errors, and worse management of chronic diseases. By institutionalizing health literacy planning at the state level, Texas aims to reduce these disparities and improve public health efficiency.

Potential points of contention

  • Implementation costs: Developing and executing statewide health literacy programs requires funding, staff, and resources that may strain existing health department budgets
  • Measurement and accountability: Defining measurable health literacy outcomes and determining which agency holds responsibility for success or failure could be unclear
  • One-size-fits-all concerns: Texas's diverse population (urban/rural, multilingual, varying education levels) may require tailored approaches that a single state plan struggles to address effectively

Compiled from official sources — confirm details with the bill’s official record.

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