On Thursday, April 13, the House Select Committee on Health Care Reform will hear House Bill 1578 by Rep. Steve Allison, a proposal that aims to address health literacy challenges in Texas by developing a statewide plan.
Health literacy is a crucial skill that empowers individuals to manage their health care effectively, yet many Texans face challenges navigating the healthcare system. This leads to increased costs, inefficient use of resources, and poor health outcomes. Texas must address health literacy and develop strategies to improve patient outcomes and reduce healthcare costs.
Why your support matters:
- 80% of Americans, including Texans, grapple with health literacy, with half of all healthcare consumers struggling to navigate the healthcare system.
- Low-income Texans, the elderly population, and individuals with limited educational attainment are disproportionately affected, struggling to access accurate health information, seek preventive care, and choose the appropriate level of care.
- Limited health literacy leads to inefficient use of preventative health care, increased healthcare industry costs, dosing errors and patient non-adherence to medications or treatments, increased emergency room visits, longer hospital stays, and higher mortality rates.
How to take action:
- Call or email members of the committee to register your support for HB 1578
- Submit your public comments NOW in support of HB 1578 via the state online portal: https://comments.house.texas.gov/home?c=c307
- Follow us on Twitter @mhmstx and Retweet our Alerts on HB 1578 during the House Committee Hearing
Your voice can improve health literacy in Texas, save lives, and reduce health care costs. Together, we can empower individuals to be stronger advocates for themselves in medical settings and make informed decisions about their health.
Thankful for your support!
Editor’s Note: The above guest column was penned by Christine Yanas, vice president of policy and advocacy at Methodist Healthcare Ministries. Yanas is responsible for the development of Methodist Healthcare Ministries’ public health policies and legislative agendas. The column first appeared in an electronic newsletter from Methodist Healthcare Ministries. Yanas can be reached by email via: [email protected].
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