HR1259 97TH GENERAL ASSEMBLY

HR1259 LRB097 23170 KTG 71992 r

HOUSE RESOLUTION

WHEREAS, The federal Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act (ACA) was signed into law by President Barack Obama on March 23, 2010; and

WHEREAS, In light of the United States Supreme Court's decision in June regarding the ACA's constitutionality, the Quinn Administration is moving forward with plans to implement a health insurance exchange for individuals and small businesses to purchase insurance policies; the exchange is intended to facilitate compliance with the ACA's individual mandate, which requires most individuals to purchase insurance or be assessed a financial penalty; and

WHEREAS, Illinois has received over $135 million in federal grants which were to be directed towards the exchange's information technology infrastructure, consumer assistance efforts, and rate review assistance, among other functions; and

WHEREAS, Illinois has not yet established the structure, operational model, or financing mechanism for its exchange, which means the State will likely operate under a federally-facilitated exchange for at least the first year; and

WHEREAS, Federal grant funds are anticipated to cover Illinois' projected implementation and first year operating costs, though the ACA requires exchanges to be financially self-sustaining beginning January 1, 2015; more transparency is needed to show how Illinois will pay for this expensive technological and operational endeavor; and

WHEREAS, Because the ACA's requirements could be extremely costly to our already cash-strapped State, it is imperative that the legislature and the public are aware of how taxpayers' dollars are being spent to implement the ACA in Illinois; and

WHEREAS, A September 24, 2012 letter to Governor Quinn requesting a full accounting of ACA funds received and expended has gone unanswered; therefore, be it

RESOLVED, BY THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES OF THE NINETY-SEVENTH GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF THE STATE OF ILLINOIS, that the Auditor General is directed to conduct an audit of the allocation of federal funds received by the State pursuant to the federal Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act; and be it further

RESOLVED, That the Departments of Insurance and Healthcare and Family Services and any other State agency or person who may have information relevant to this audit cooperate fully and promptly with the Auditor General's Office; and be it further

RESOLVED, That the Auditor General commence this audit as soon as practical and report his findings and recommendations upon completion in accordance with the provisions of Section 3-14 of the Illinois State Auditing Act; and be it further

RESOLVED, That a suitable copy of this resolution be presented to the Auditor General.