093_HB3840

 
                                     LRB093 13290 DRJ 18563 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
 9    within the Department on Aging, to become operational  within
10    90  days  after  the  effective  date of this Act. The Senior
11    Health  Assistance  Program  shall   provide   outreach   and
12    education  to  senior citizens on available prescription drug
13    coverage and 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.
17    The  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
20    not 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
24        private 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
30        for seniors regarding  public  and  private  prescription
31        drug discount and coverage programs.

 
                            -2-      LRB093 13290 DRJ 18563 b
 1             (2)  Perform  outreach  and  education activities on
 2        public  and  private  prescription  drug   discount   and
 3        coverage programs.
 4             (3)  Maintain  a  toll-free telephone number staffed
 5        by trained customer service representatives.
 6             (4)  Maintain  measurable  data  to   identify   the
 7        progress  and  success of the program, including, but not
 8        limited to, the number of individuals served, the type of
 9        assistance received, and overall program evaluation.
10             (5)  Upon the request of an Illinois senior, provide
11        information concerning    the  purchase  of  prescription
12        drugs from sources outside Illinois.
13        (e)  The  Department  shall work cooperatively with other
14    Departments that fund  senior  health  assistance,  including
15    assistance   with   prescription  drugs,  to  ensure  maximum
16    coordination.
17        (f)  The  Governor  shall  request  the   United   States
18    Department  of  Health  and    Human  Services to license the
19    Senior Health Assistance Program  to  act  as  an  agent  for
20    Illinois   seniors  in  purchasing  prescription  drugs  from
21    sources outside Illinois.
22    (Source: P.A. 92-594, eff. 6-27-02.)

23        Section 99.  Effective date.  This Act  takes  effect  on
24    July 1, 2004.