Sec. 93.051.  CARDIOVASCULAR DISEASE AND STROKE PREVENTION PLAN;  DUTIES OF COUNCIL.  (a)  The council shall develop an effective and resource-efficient plan to reduce the morbidity, mortality, and economic burden of cardiovascular disease and stroke in this state.  The council shall:
(1)  conduct health education, public awareness, and community outreach activities that relate to primary and secondary prevention of cardiovascular disease and stroke;
(2)  promote, enhance, and coordinate health education, public awareness, and community outreach activities that relate to primary and secondary prevention of cardiovascular disease and stroke and that are provided by private and other public organizations;
(3)  coordinate activities with other entities that are concerned with medical conditions that are similar to cardiovascular disease and stroke or that have similar risk factors;
(4)  identify to health care providers, employers, schools, community health centers, and other groups the benefits of encouraging treatment, primary and secondary prevention, and public awareness of cardiovascular disease and stroke and recognize innovative and effective programs that achieve the objectives of improved treatment, prevention, and public awareness;
(5)  provide guidance regarding the roles and responsibilities of government agencies, health care providers, employers, third-party payers, patients, and families of patients in the treatment, primary and secondary prevention, and public awareness of cardiovascular disease and stroke;
(6)  improve access to treatment for and primary and secondary prevention of cardiovascular disease and stroke through public awareness programs, including access for uninsured individuals and individuals living in rural or underserved areas;
(7)  assist communities to develop comprehensive local cardiovascular disease and stroke prevention programs;
(8)  assist the Texas Education Agency and local school districts to promote a public school curriculum that includes physical, nutritional, and health education relating to cardiovascular disease and stroke prevention;
(9)  establish appropriate forums, programs, or initiatives designed to educate the public regarding the impact of heart disease and stroke on women's health, with an emphasis on preventive health and healthy lifestyles; and
(10)  evaluate and enhance the implementation and effectiveness of the program developed under this chapter.
(b)  The council shall make written recommendations for performing its duties under this chapter to the department and the legislature.
(c)  The council shall advise the legislature on legislation that is needed to develop further and maintain a statewide system of quality education services for all persons with cardiovascular disease or stroke.  The council may develop and submit legislation to the legislature or comment on pending legislation that affects persons with cardiovascular disease and stroke.
(d)  The council shall collaborate with the Governor's EMS and Trauma Advisory Council, the American Stroke Association, and other stroke experts to make recommendations to the department for rules on the recognition and rapid transportation of stroke patients to health care facilities capable of treating strokes 24 hours a day and recording stroke patient outcomes.
Added by Acts 1999, 76th Leg., ch. 1411, Sec. 25.01, eff. Sept. 1, 1999.
Amended by: 
Acts 2005, 79th Leg., Ch. 732 (H.B. 2344), Sec. 6, eff. September 1, 2005.