98TH GENERAL ASSEMBLY
State of Illinois
2013 and 2014
HB1286

 

Introduced , by Rep. Naomi D. Jakobsson - Daniel V. Beiser

 

SYNOPSIS AS INTRODUCED:
 
New Act

    Creates the Seniors and Disabled Persons Pharmaceutical Assistance Relief Program Act. Provides that it is the purpose of the Act to ensure that the State's senior and disabled populations have access to affordable prescription drugs. Requires the Department of Healthcare and Family Services, beginning July 1, 2013, to establish and administer a Seniors and Disabled Persons Pharmaceutical Assistance Relief Program with the cooperation of local area agencies on aging. Contains provisions concerning eligibility standards; application standards; and rulemaking. Effective July 1, 2013.


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FISCAL NOTE ACT MAY APPLY

 

 

A BILL FOR

 

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1    AN ACT concerning public aid.
 
2    Be it enacted by the People of the State of Illinois,
3represented in the General Assembly:
 
4    Section 1. Short title. This Act may be cited as the
5Seniors and Disabled Persons Pharmaceutical Assistance Relief
6Program Act.
 
7    Section 5. Purpose. It is the purpose of this Act to ensure
8that the State's senior and disabled populations have access to
9affordable prescription drugs.
 
10    Section 7. Definition. As used in this Act, "disabled
11person" means a person under the age of 65 who is unable to
12engage in any substantial gainful activity by reason of a
13medically determinable physical or mental impairment which can
14be expected to result in death or has lasted or can be expected
15to last for a continuous period of not less than 12 months. A
16disabled person applying for benefits under this Act shall
17submit proof of disability in such form and manner as the
18Department shall by rule and regulation prescribe. Proof that
19an applicant is eligible to receive disability benefits under
20the federal Social Security Act shall constitute proof of
21disability for purposes of this Act. Issuance of an Illinois
22Disabled Person Identification Card stating that the applicant

 

 

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1is under a Class 2 disability, as defined in Section 4A of the
2Illinois Identification Card Act, shall constitute proof that
3the person named thereon is a disabled person for purposes of
4this Act. A disabled person not covered under the federal
5Social Security Act and not presenting an Illinois Disabled
6Person Identification Card stating that the applicant is under
7a Class 2 disability shall be examined by a physician
8designated by the Department, and his or her status as a
9disabled person determined using the same standards as used by
10the Social Security Administration. The costs of any required
11examination shall be borne by the applicant.
 
12    Section 10. Creation of program. Beginning July 1, 2013,
13the Department of Healthcare and Family Services shall
14establish and administer a pharmacy assistance program
15entitled the Seniors and Disabled Persons Pharmaceutical
16Assistance Relief Program. Local area agencies on aging shall
17cooperate with the Department in this endeavor.
 
18    Section 15. Eligibility. To become a beneficiary under the
19Program established under this Act, a person must:
20        (1) Be 65 years of age or older, or a disabled person.
21        (2) Be domiciled in this State.
22        (3) Have income at or below 200% of the Federal Poverty
23    Level.
24        (4) Apply for federal Extra Help (Low-Income Subsidy)

 

 

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1    under Medicare Part D.
2        (5) Have maximum household assets of $13,070 if single,
3    or $26,120 if married.
4    Future asset limitations established by the Department
5under the Program shall be updated, if necessary, to match the
6asset limitations set under the federal Extra Help (Low-Income
7Subsidy) program.
 
8    Section 20. Applications for Program benefits. An
9application for benefits under the Program shall be submitted
10electronically to the local area agency on aging. Applications
11must be filed during the time period prescribed by the
12Department.
 
13    Section 25. Rules. The Department may adopt rules regarding
14applications, counting of income, and the type of prescription
15drugs covered, and any other rules necessary for the
16cost-efficient operation of the Program established under this
17Act.
 
18    Section 99. Effective date. This Act takes effect July 1,
192013.