Bill Text: IL SB0283 | 2017-2018 | 100th General Assembly | Introduced

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Bill Title: Amends the Senior Pharmaceutical Assistance Act. Makes a technical change in a Section concerning the findings of the General Assembly.

Spectrum: Partisan Bill (Democrat 1-0)

Status: (Failed) 2019-01-09 - Session Sine Die [SB0283 Detail]

Download: Illinois-2017-SB0283-Introduced.html

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100TH GENERAL ASSEMBLY State of Illinois 2017 and 2018 SB0283 Introduced 1/24/2017, by Sen. John J. Cullerton SYNOPSIS AS INTRODUCED:
320 ILCS 50/5
Amends the Senior Pharmaceutical Assistance Act. Makes a technical change in a Section concerning the findings of the General Assembly.
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A BILL FOR
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AN ACT concerning 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 5 as follows:
(320 ILCS 50/5)
Sec. 5. Findings. The The General Assembly finds:
(1) Senior citizens identify pharmaceutical assistance as
the single most critical factor to their health, well-being,
and continued independence.
(2) The State of Illinois currently operates 2
pharmaceutical assistance programs that benefit seniors: (i)
the program of pharmaceutical assistance under the Senior
Citizens and Persons with Disabilities Property Tax Relief Act
and (ii) the Aid to the Aged, Blind, or Disabled program under
the Illinois Public Aid Code. The State has been given
authority to establish a third program, SeniorRx Care, through
a federal Medicaid waiver.
(3) Each year, numerous pieces of legislation are filed
seeking to establish additional pharmaceutical assistance
benefits for seniors or to make changes to the existing
programs.
(4) Establishment of a pharmaceutical assistance review

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committee will ensure proper coordination of benefits,
diminish the likelihood of duplicative benefits, and ensure
that the best interests of seniors are served.
(5) In addition to the State pharmaceutical assistance
programs, several private entities, such as drug manufacturers
and pharmacies, also offer prescription drug discount or
coverage programs.
(6) Many seniors are unaware of the myriad of public and
private programs available to them.
(7) Establishing a pharmaceutical clearinghouse with a
toll-free hot-line and local outreach workers will educate
seniors about the vast array of options available to them and
enable seniors to make an educated and informed choice that is
best for them.
(8) Estimates indicate that almost one-third of senior
citizens lack prescription drug coverage. The federal
government, states, and the pharmaceutical industry each have a
role in helping these uninsured seniors gain access to
life-saving medications.
(9) The State of Illinois has recognized its obligation to
assist Illinois' neediest seniors in purchasing prescription
medications, and it is now time for pharmaceutical
manufacturers to recognize their obligation to make their
medications affordable to seniors.
(Source: P.A. 99-143, eff. 7-27-15.)