100TH GENERAL ASSEMBLY
State of Illinois
2017 and 2018
SB0285

 

Introduced 1/24/2017, 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.


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A BILL FOR

 

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1    AN ACT concerning aging.
 
2    Be it enacted by the People of the State of Illinois,
3represented in the General Assembly:
 
4    Section 5. The Senior Pharmaceutical Assistance Act is
5amended by changing Section 5 as follows:
 
6    (320 ILCS 50/5)
7    Sec. 5. Findings. The The General Assembly finds:
8    (1) Senior citizens identify pharmaceutical assistance as
9the single most critical factor to their health, well-being,
10and continued independence.
11    (2) The State of Illinois currently operates 2
12pharmaceutical assistance programs that benefit seniors: (i)
13the program of pharmaceutical assistance under the Senior
14Citizens and Persons with Disabilities Property Tax Relief Act
15and (ii) the Aid to the Aged, Blind, or Disabled program under
16the Illinois Public Aid Code. The State has been given
17authority to establish a third program, SeniorRx Care, through
18a federal Medicaid waiver.
19    (3) Each year, numerous pieces of legislation are filed
20seeking to establish additional pharmaceutical assistance
21benefits for seniors or to make changes to the existing
22programs.
23    (4) Establishment of a pharmaceutical assistance review

 

 

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1committee will ensure proper coordination of benefits,
2diminish the likelihood of duplicative benefits, and ensure
3that the best interests of seniors are served.
4    (5) In addition to the State pharmaceutical assistance
5programs, several private entities, such as drug manufacturers
6and pharmacies, also offer prescription drug discount or
7coverage programs.
8    (6) Many seniors are unaware of the myriad of public and
9private programs available to them.
10    (7) Establishing a pharmaceutical clearinghouse with a
11toll-free hot-line and local outreach workers will educate
12seniors about the vast array of options available to them and
13enable seniors to make an educated and informed choice that is
14best for them.
15    (8) Estimates indicate that almost one-third of senior
16citizens lack prescription drug coverage. The federal
17government, states, and the pharmaceutical industry each have a
18role in helping these uninsured seniors gain access to
19life-saving medications.
20    (9) The State of Illinois has recognized its obligation to
21assist Illinois' neediest seniors in purchasing prescription
22medications, and it is now time for pharmaceutical
23manufacturers to recognize their obligation to make their
24medications affordable to seniors.
25(Source: P.A. 99-143, eff. 7-27-15.)