97TH GENERAL ASSEMBLY
State of Illinois
2011 and 2012
HB6178
 
Introduced , by Rep. Naomi D. Jakobsson
 
SYNOPSIS AS INTRODUCED:
 

 
New Act

     Creates the Seniors Pharmaceutical Assistance Relief Program Act. Provides that it is the purpose of this Act to ensure that the State's senior population has access to affordable prescription drugs. Requires the Department of Healthcare and Family Services, beginning July 1, 2012, to establish and administer a  Seniors Pharmaceutical Assistance Relief Program with the cooperation of local area agencies on aging. Contains provisions concerning eligibility standards; application standards; and rulemaking. Effective July 1, 2012.
  


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FISCAL NOTE ACT MAY APPLY
 
 
A BILL FOR
 

  
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1    AN ACT concerning public aid.
  
 
2    Be it enacted by the People of the State of Illinois,
 
3represented in the General Assembly:
  
 
 
4    Section 1. Short title. This Act may be cited as the 
5Seniors Pharmaceutical Assistance Relief Program Act.
 
6    Section 5. Purpose. It is the purpose of this Act to ensure 
7that the State's senior population has access to affordable 
8prescription drugs.
 
9    Section 10. Creation of program. Beginning July 1, 2012, 
10the Department of Healthcare and Family Services shall 
11establish and administer a pharmacy assistance program 
12entitled the Seniors Pharmaceutical Assistance Relief Program. 
13Local area agencies on aging shall cooperate with the 
14Department in this endeavor.
 
15    Section 15. Eligibility. To become a beneficiary under the 
16Program established under this Act, a person must:
17    (1) Be 65 years of age or older.
18    (2) Be domiciled in this State.
19    (3) Have income at or below 200% of the Federal Poverty 
20Level.
21    (4) Apply for federal Extra Help (Low-Income Subsidy) under 
 
 
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1Medicare Part D.
2    (5) Have maximum household assets of $13,070 if single, or 
3$26,120 if married.
4    Future asset limitations established by the Department 
5under this Program shall be updated, if necessary, to match the 
6asset limitations set under the federal Extra Help (Low-Income 
7Subsidy) program.
 
8    Section 20. Program applications. Applications for 
9benefits under the Program shall be submitted electronically to 
10the local Area Agency on Aging. Applications must be filed 
11during the time period prescribed by the Department.
 
12    Section 25. Rules. The Department may adopt rules regarding 
13applications, counting of income, the type of prescription 
14drugs covered, and any other rules necessary for the 
15cost-efficient operation of the Program established under this 
16Act.

 
 
17    Section 99. Effective date. This Act takes effect July 1, 
182012.