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.
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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.