HB0706 Engrossed

LRB096 07690 DRJ 17791 b






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    AN ACT concerning veterans.

 
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    Be it enacted by the People of the State of Illinois,
 
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represented in the General Assembly:


 
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    Section 5. The Veterans' Health Insurance Program Act of 
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2008 is amended  by changing Section 45 as follows:
 
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    (330 ILCS 126/45)
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    (Section scheduled to be repealed on January 1, 2012)

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    Sec. 45. Reporting. 
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    (a) The Department shall prepare an annual report for 
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submission to the General Assembly. The report shall be due to 
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the General Assembly by January 1 of each year beginning in 
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2009. This report shall include information regarding 
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implementation of the Program, including the number of veterans 
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enrolled and any available information regarding other 
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benefits derived from the Program, including screening for and 
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acquisition of other veterans' benefits through the Veterans' 
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Service Officers and the Veterans' Assistance Commissions. 
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This report may also include recommendations regarding 
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improvements that may be made to the Program and regarding the 
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extension of the repeal date set forth in Section 85 of this 
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Act.

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    (b) The Department shall also arrange for the conducting of 
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an evaluation regarding the availability of and access to 
 


 






HB0706 Engrossed
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LRB096 07690 DRJ 17791 b




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health care for veterans who are residents of Illinois, taking 
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into consideration the program established by this Act, 
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programs and services provided by the U.S. Department of 
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Veterans Affairs, and programs and services otherwise provided 
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by and available through other public and private entities. The 
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evaluation shall determine whether there are limitations or 
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barriers to care, gaps in service, or other deficits that 
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should be overcome to ensure that veterans are provided 
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appropriate and high-quality care. The Department shall report 
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on the results of this evaluation to the Governor and the 
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General Assembly by March 1, 2010. 
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(Source: P.A. 95-755, eff. 7-25-08.)
 

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    Section 99. Effective date. This Act takes effect upon 
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becoming law.