SB2608 93RD GENERAL ASSEMBLY

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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.

FISCAL NOTE ACT MAY APPLY

A BILL FOR

AN ACT in relation to aging.

Be it enacted by the People of the State of Illinois, represented in the General Assembly:

Section 5. The Senior Pharmaceutical Assistance Act is amended by changing Section 20 as follows:

(320 ILCS 50/20)

Sec. 20. Senior Health Assistance Program.

(a) The Senior Health Assistance Program is created within the Department on Aging, to become operational within 90 days after the effective date of this Act. The Senior Health Assistance Program shall provide outreach and education to senior citizens on available prescription drug coverage and discount programs.

(b) The Senior Health Assistance Program shall operate a Clearinghouse for all information regarding prescription drug coverage programs available to senior citizens in Illinois. The Clearinghouse shall operate in conjunction with the Department's toll-free senior information program.

(c) The purposes of the Clearinghouse include, but are not limited to:

(1) Maintaining information on public and private prescription assistance programs for Illinois seniors.

(2) Educating citizens on available public and private prescription assistance programs.

(3) Educating seniors on how to make an informed decision about participation in prescription drug assistance programs.

(d) The Clearinghouse has the following duties:

(1) Provide a one-stop resource for all information for seniors regarding public and private prescription drug discount and coverage programs.

(2) Perform outreach and education activities on public and private prescription drug discount and coverage programs.

(3) Maintain a toll-free telephone number staffed by trained customer service representatives.

(4) Maintain measurable data to identify the progress and success of the program, including, but not limited to, the number of individuals served, the type of assistance received, and overall program evaluation.

(5) Upon the request of an Illinois senior, provide information concerning the purchase of prescription drugs from sources outside Illinois.

(e) The Department shall work cooperatively with other Departments that fund senior health assistance, including assistance with prescription drugs, to ensure maximum coordination.

(f) The Governor shall request the United States Department of Health and Human Services to license the Senior Health Assistance Program to act as an agent for Illinois seniors in purchasing prescription drugs from sources outside Illinois.

(Source: P.A. 92-594, eff. 6-27-02.)

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