HR0681

LRB094 14829 DRJ 49820 r






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HOUSE RESOLUTION


 
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    WHEREAS, A recent study funded by the National Institute of 
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Mental Health concluded that for some patients, the use of a 
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specific drug has measurable advantages over other medications 
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in the treatment of serious mental illnesses; and

 
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    WHEREAS, The Illinois Department of Healthcare and Family 
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Services has implemented a policy, effective October 1, 2005, 
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under which the Department will restrict access to certain 
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mental illness medications to persons receiving medical 
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assistance under the State's Medicaid program by imposing prior 
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approval requirements on those medications; and

 
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    WHEREAS, The Department's decision to restrict access to 
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those mental illness medications is particularly unfair 
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because, unlike other medications that have been restricted, 
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the decision to restrict access to certain drugs used to treat 
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mental illness does not permit people who are currently taking 
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a restricted medication to continue taking the medication 
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because there is no good alternative medication; and

 
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    WHEREAS, The Department's decision to restrict access to 
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mental health medications can result in higher costs to the 
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State and local units of government because people get sicker 
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after being denied medication and need additional costly 
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services, including hospitalization; therefore, be it

 
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    RESOLVED, BY THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES OF THE 
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NINETY-FOURTH GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF THE STATE OF ILLINOIS, that 
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we urge the Department of Healthcare and Family Services to 
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reconsider its decision to restrict access to medications used 
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for the treatment of serious mental illnesses for people on 
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Medicaid by imposing prior approval requirements on those 
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medications; and be it further

 
 


 






HR0681
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LRB094 14829 DRJ 49820 r




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    RESOLVED, That before additional mental illness 
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medications are made subject to prior approval restrictions 
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under the Medicaid program, a full and open hearing on the 
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matter should be held involving participation by the Department 
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of Healthcare and Family Services, the General Assembly, and 
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advocates for individuals suffering from mental illness; and be 
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it further

 
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    RESOLVED, That suitable copies of this resolution be 
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delivered to the Director of Healthcare and Family Services and 
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to the Governor.