93RD GENERAL ASSEMBLY
State of Illinois
2003 and 2004
SB2608

 

Introduced 2/4/2004, by Barack Obama

 

SYNOPSIS AS INTRODUCED:
 
320 ILCS 50/20

    Amends the Senior Pharmaceutical Assistance Act. Requires the Senior Health Assistance Program Clearinghouse, upon the request of an Illinois senior citizen, to provide information concerning the purchase of prescription drugs from sources outside Illinois. Requires the Governor to request the United States Department of Health and Human Services to license the Senior Health Assistance Program to act as an agent for Illinois senior citizens in purchasing prescription drugs from sources outside Illinois. Effective July 1, 2004.


LRB093 20853 DRJ 46787 b

FISCAL NOTE ACT MAY APPLY

 

 

A BILL FOR

 

SB2608 LRB093 20853 DRJ 46787 b

1     AN ACT in relation to 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 20 as follows:
 
6     (320 ILCS 50/20)
7     Sec. 20. Senior Health Assistance Program.
8     (a) The Senior Health Assistance Program is created within
9 the Department on Aging, to become operational within 90 days
10 after the effective date of this Act. The Senior Health
11 Assistance Program shall provide outreach and education to
12 senior citizens on available prescription drug coverage and
13 discount programs.
14     (b) The Senior Health Assistance Program shall operate a
15 Clearinghouse for all information regarding prescription drug
16 coverage programs available to senior citizens in Illinois. The
17 Clearinghouse shall operate in conjunction with the
18 Department's toll-free senior information program.
19     (c) The purposes of the Clearinghouse include, but are not
20 limited to:
21         (1) Maintaining information on public and private
22     prescription assistance programs for Illinois seniors.
23         (2) Educating citizens on available public and private
24     prescription assistance programs.
25         (3) Educating seniors on how to make an informed
26     decision about participation in prescription drug
27     assistance programs.
28     (d) The Clearinghouse has the following duties:
29         (1) Provide a one-stop resource for all information for
30     seniors regarding public and private prescription drug
31     discount and coverage programs.
32         (2) Perform outreach and education activities on

 

 

SB2608 - 2 - LRB093 20853 DRJ 46787 b

1     public and private prescription drug discount and coverage
2     programs.
3         (3) Maintain a toll-free telephone number staffed by
4     trained customer service representatives.
5         (4) Maintain measurable data to identify the progress
6     and success of the program, including, but not limited to,
7     the number of individuals served, the type of assistance
8     received, and overall program evaluation.
9         (5) Upon the request of an Illinois senior, provide
10     information concerning the purchase of prescription drugs
11     from sources outside Illinois.
12     (e) The Department shall work cooperatively with other
13 Departments that fund senior health assistance, including
14 assistance with prescription drugs, to ensure maximum
15 coordination.
16     (f) The Governor shall request the United States Department
17 of Health and Human Services to license the Senior Health
18 Assistance Program to act as an agent for Illinois seniors in
19 purchasing prescription drugs from sources outside Illinois.
20 (Source: P.A. 92-594, eff. 6-27-02.)
 
21     Section 99. Effective date. This Act takes effect July 1,
22 2004.