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1
HOUSE RESOLUTION

 
2    WHEREAS, In response to increasing prescription drug
3costs, many health plans and prescription drug plans have
4increased enrollee cost-sharing amounts, instituted
5coinsurance, and created specialty tiers resulting in
6increased medication costs for patients participating in those
7plans; and
 
8    WHEREAS, The National Conference of State Legislatures
9reports that between the years 2000 and 2009, copayments for
10insured workers have increased for specialty-tier drugs; and
 
11    WHEREAS, Many health plans and prescription drug plans now
12require individuals to pay a coinsurance or percentage of the
13cost of fourth-tier or specialty-tier prescription
14medications; and
 
15    WHEREAS, Fourth-tier or specialty-tier medications often
16include medications for chronic diseases, including certain
17types of cancer, hemophilia, multiple sclerosis, myositis,
18neuropathy, arthritis, human immunodeficiency virus, and other
19diseases and disorders; and
 
20    WHEREAS, Coinsurance, cost-sharing, and specialty-tier
21pricing place significant and onerous financial burdens upon

 

 

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1insured individuals with chronic health care issues requiring
2prescription medication, in many cases leading to decreased
3adherence or failure to take medications as prescribed,
4resulting in acute incidents and negative health outcomes;
5therefore, be it
 
6    RESOLVED, BY THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES OF THE
7NINETY-SEVENTH GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF THE STATE OF ILLINOIS, that
8the Department of Insurance is requested to study the impacts
9of cost sharing, coinsurance, and specialty-tier pricing for
10prescription medications; and be it further
 
11    RESOLVED, That the study shall (1) determine the impact of
12cost sharing, coinsurance, and specialty-tier pricing on
13access to prescription medications for chronic health
14disorders and (2) identify and evaluate options for reducing
15any negative impacts of cost sharing, coinsurance, and
16specialty-tier pricing, including, but not limited to,
17statutory limitations on cost sharing obligations for
18prescription medications; and be it further
 
19    RESOLVED, That the Department of Insurance shall report to
20the General Assembly on the first day of the regular session,
212012, on its findings, conclusions, and recommendations
22together with drafts of legislation necessary to effectuate its
23recommendations; and be it further
 

 

 

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1    RESOLVED, That a suitable copy of this resolution be
2presented to the Director of Insurance.