Legislative Update (1/27)
Happy Monday!
The 89th Texas Legislative Session is off to a fast start, with only 140 days to address critical issues.
Over the past two weeks, I’ve been busy at the Capitol, attempting to visit all 181 legislative offices—150 in the House and 31 in the Senate. I delivered one-pagers (view here) introducing our mission, along with some electrolytes to keep everyone hydrated. By making these visits early in the session, before things got too busy, I was able to have meaningful conversations with many staff and legislators. These interactions provided a valuable opportunity to introduce them to our organization, share our goals, and offer support as they prepare to tackle the challenges ahead.
Federal News
While our organization primarily focuses on state-level impact, I wanted to ensure you were aware of key federal developments shaping the broader health landscape. The Senate Finance Committee has scheduled a hearing on January 29, 2025, to consider Robert F. Kennedy Jr.'s nomination as Secretary of Health and Human Services. Kennedy has been a prominent voice in the Make America Healthy Again movement, energizing national conversations around chronic disease and healthcare reform. (You can watch the hearing here at 9AM CST on 1/29).
Additionally, last week, Texas Congressman Chip Roy released The Case for Healthcare Freedom, a report that spotlights alarming statistics on chronic disease and systemic challenges in the American healthcare system, offering solutions rooted in a free-market approach (you can view the report here). The great thing about the Make America Healthy Again movement is that it highlights an issue that unites people across the political spectrum—showing that, while their solutions may differ, there’s broad recognition of the urgent need to address these challenges.
Texas Legislature
As of Friday, January 24th, 2,092 House Bills and 929 Senate Bills have been filed this session. Among these, I’ve flagged 163 bills as directly relevant to the goals of Make Texans Healthy Again. Some are promising, some concerning, and others neutral, but each could play a role in shaping Texas' health and well-being. Below are a few of the proposals on the table:
Prescription Transparency: Senator Kolkhorst is fighting to prohibit health plan issuers and Pharmacy Benefit Managers (PBMs) from preventing pharmacists from disclosing the difference between an enrollee's out-of-pocket cost under their plan and the cost without submitting a claim, ensuring patients can make more informed decisions about their medications. This bill exposes how these practices contribute to rising costs, empowering patients with better information and reducing the impact of profit-driven middlemen on Texans’ access to affordable medications. (View here)
Nutrition Education for Doctors: Representative Oliverson is advocating for mandatory nutrition education in Texas medical schools. This forward-thinking proposal highlights diet’s critical role in preventing chronic disease and improving patient outcomes. (View here)
Supporting Small Food Producers: Senator Kolkhorst and Representative Goodwin are working to expand Texas’ cottage food laws to help small, home-based food businesses grow. Currently, cottage food producers can sell certain homemade, low-risk foods like baked goods and jams, but the rules are restrictive. The proposed legislation would allow more types of foods, including refrigerated baked goods, increase the annual sales cap, and open up more venues, such as farmers markets. These changes are not just good for small businesses but also for Texans looking for healthier options, as cottage food producers often use simple, whole ingredients without the preservatives and additives found in mass-produced items. By cutting red tape and supporting local food producers, this bill would improve access to fresh, minimally processed foods while boosting entrepreneurship and local economies. (View here)
Improving Nutrition in SNAP: Senator Middleton has introduced legislation to prevent tax dollars from subsidizing unhealthy food purchases through nutrition assistance programs (SNAP), aiming to encourage healthier purchasing decisions within our most vulnerable communities. (View here)
Improving Nutrition at School: Senator Hughes and Representative Harris-Davilla are working to prevent harmful food additives—like brominated vegetable oil and red dye 3—from being included in free or reduced-price meals provided by school districts. It’s a common-sense measure to ensure taxpayer dollars are used to nourish children, not expose them to substances linked to health risks.
Off-Label Medication Access Legislation: Several bills introduced this session focus on protecting and expanding the use of FDA-approved medications for off-label purposes. These proposals aim to ensure patients and physicians have the freedom to explore evidence-based treatments that may fall outside the FDA’s initial approval parameters. For example, legislation like the "Right to Treat Act" prohibits state officials from restricting physicians from prescribing or administering drugs for off-label use, provided the treatment meets the medical standard of care. Another bill seeks to safeguard physicians’ licenses against adverse actions solely for prescribing off-label treatments. Additionally, a related proposal would prohibit pharmacists from substituting their personal judgment for that of the prescribing physician, specifically ensuring that off-label use is not a valid reason to refuse dispensing a prescription. Collectively, these measures seek to empower doctors, protect patient access to innovative treatments, and remove unnecessary barriers to care.
Vaccine-Related Legislation: This session has seen the introduction of numerous bills focused on vaccine policies, reflecting a wide range of priorities and concerns. Proposals include limiting government and institutional authority over vaccine mandates, such as requiring health care facilities and employers to honor exemptions based on religious or personal beliefs. Other bills address transparency and accountability, like mandating that adverse vaccine reactions be reported to federal systems and ensuring informed consent prior to vaccine administration. Additionally, legislation seeks to streamline processes for obtaining vaccine exemption forms while enhancing privacy protections for those requesting exemptions.
As we dive into this legislative session, I’m committed to keeping you informed and engaged in the fight to Make Texans Healthy Again. Whether it’s through sharing updates on impactful bills, talking to legislators and staff, hosting opportunities to connect, or preparing for advocacy day on March 4th, we’re building momentum together.
Your passion and involvement are what make this movement strong, and I look forward to seeing you on our call as we continue working toward a healthier Texas for all. Let’s make an impact—together!
-Travis
