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91_HR0139
LRB9106199KBkb
1 HOUSE RESOLUTION
2 WHEREAS, The November 23, 1998 tobacco settlement and
3 prior settlements in four states call for the distribution of
4 settlement funds to states over the next 25 years; we must
5 act quickly to ensure that the settlement funds actually
6 reach the states; and
7 WHEREAS, Receipt of half or more of these funds is in
8 doubt because of the federal government's attempt to recoup
9 state settlement money as Medicaid overpayments; and
10 WHEREAS, There is a bi-partisan congressional coalition
11 led by Texas Senator Kay Bailey Hutchison, Florida Senator
12 Robert Graham, Washington Senator Slade Gorton, Indiana
13 Senator Evan Bayh, Ohio Senator George Voinovich, and Florida
14 Congressman Michael Bilirakis that is advocating legislation
15 to negate the recoupment claim; and
16 WHEREAS, States initiated the suits that ultimately led
17 to the settlements; and
18 WHEREAS, The states assumed all risks; and
19 WHEREAS, The states used their resources to challenge the
20 tobacco industry; and
21 WHEREAS, The federal government played no role in the
22 suits nor in the settlements; the November 23 accord makes no
23 mention of Medicaid or federal recoupment; and
24 WHEREAS, Our State is making initial fiscal
25 determinations regarding the most responsible allocation of
26 these settlement funds; and
27 WHEREAS, We cannot and should not be threatened with the
28 seizure of these funds by the federal government; therefore,
29 be it
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1 RESOLVED, BY THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES OF THE
2 NINETY-FIRST GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF THE STATE OF ILLINOIS, that
3 we call on the United States Congress and urge its members to
4 support United States House Resolution 351; and be it further
5 RESOLVED, That a suitable copy of this resolution be
6 delivered to the Illinois Congressional delegation, the
7 Speaker of the U.S. House of Representatives, the Majority
8 Leader of the U.S. Senate, the Vice President of the United
9 States, and the President of the United States.