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

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

 

 

SB0802 - 2 - LRB096 06872 DRJ 16958 b

1 committee will ensure proper coordination of benefits,
2 diminish the likelihood of duplicative benefits, and ensure
3 that the best interests of seniors are served.
4     (5) In addition to the State pharmaceutical assistance
5 programs, several private entities, such as drug manufacturers
6 and pharmacies, also offer prescription drug discount or
7 coverage programs.
8     (6) Many seniors are unaware of the myriad of public and
9 private programs available to them.
10     (7) Establishing a pharmaceutical clearinghouse with a
11 toll-free hot-line and local outreach workers will educate
12 seniors about the vast array of options available to them and
13 enable seniors to make an educated and informed choice that is
14 best for them.
15     (8) Estimates indicate that almost one-third of senior
16 citizens lack prescription drug coverage. The federal
17 government, states, and the pharmaceutical industry each have a
18 role in helping these uninsured seniors gain access to
19 life-saving medications.
20     (9) The State of Illinois has recognized its obligation to
21 assist Illinois' neediest seniors in purchasing prescription
22 medications, and it is now time for pharmaceutical
23 manufacturers to recognize their obligation to make their
24 medications affordable to seniors.
25 (Source: P.A. 92-594, eff. 6-27-02.)