96TH GENERAL ASSEMBLY
State of Illinois
2009 and 2010
SB0802


 
Introduced 2/6/2009, by Sen. John J. Cullerton
 
SYNOPSIS AS INTRODUCED:
 		














320 ILCS 50/5









    Amends the Senior Pharmaceutical Assistance Act. Makes a technical change in a Section concerning the findings of the General Assembly.
















LRB096 06872 DRJ 16958 b

















 


 


A BILL FOR









 











SB0802

LRB096 06872 DRJ 16958 b






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    AN ACT concerning aging.

 
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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 Senior Pharmaceutical Assistance Act is 
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amended by changing Section 5 as follows:
 



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    (320 ILCS 50/5)



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    Sec. 5. Findings. The
The General Assembly finds:
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    (1) Senior citizens identify pharmaceutical assistance as 
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the single most
critical factor to their health, well-being, 
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and continued independence.

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    (2) The State of Illinois currently operates 2 
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pharmaceutical assistance
programs that benefit seniors: (i) 
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the program of pharmaceutical assistance
under
the Senior 
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Citizens and Disabled Persons Property Tax Relief and 
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Pharmaceutical
Assistance Act and (ii) the Aid to the Aged, 
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Blind, or Disabled program under
the
Illinois Public Aid Code. 
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The State has been given authority to establish a
third 
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program, SeniorRx Care, through a federal Medicaid waiver.

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    (3) Each year, numerous pieces of legislation are filed 
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seeking to
establish additional pharmaceutical assistance 
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benefits for seniors or to make
changes to the existing 
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programs.

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    (4) Establishment of a pharmaceutical assistance review 
 


 






SB0802
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committee will
ensure proper coordination of benefits, 
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diminish the likelihood of duplicative
benefits, and ensure 
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that the best interests of seniors are served.

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    (5) In addition to the State pharmaceutical assistance 
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programs, several
private entities, such as drug manufacturers 
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and pharmacies, also offer
prescription drug discount or 
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coverage programs.

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    (6) Many seniors are unaware of the myriad of public and 
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private programs
available to them.

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    (7) Establishing a pharmaceutical clearinghouse with a 
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toll-free hot-line
and local outreach workers will educate 
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seniors about the vast array of options
available to them and 
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enable seniors to make an educated and informed choice
that is 
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best for them.

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    (8) Estimates indicate that almost one-third of senior 
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citizens lack
prescription drug coverage. The federal 
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government, states, and the
pharmaceutical industry each have a 
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role in helping these uninsured seniors
gain
access to 
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life-saving medications.

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    (9) The State of Illinois has recognized its obligation to 
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assist
Illinois' neediest seniors in purchasing prescription 
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medications, and it is
now
time for pharmaceutical 
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manufacturers to recognize their obligation to make
their 
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medications affordable to seniors.

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(Source: P.A. 92-594, eff. 6-27-02.)