HR0044 99TH GENERAL ASSEMBLY

HR0044 LRB099 04080 GRL 24099 r

HOUSE RESOLUTION

WHEREAS, The State of Illinois currently has 98,353 Medicare eligible retired state employees, teachers, and community college employees who participate in a State health insurance plan; and

WHEREAS, Beginning February 1, 2014, all participating members currently eligible for Medicare must participate in a Medicare Advantage health insurance plan instead of their previous health insurance plan; and

WHEREAS, Due to changing health insurance plans, certain circumstances may force individuals to modify their current health care providers or face increased obstacles to continue with current providers; and

WHEREAS, Individuals have often cultivated relationships over many years with their current medical professionals; and

WHEREAS, The relationship between an individual and his or her doctor often includes knowledge of past treatments, a history of that individual's condition, and a level of trust developed over many years; and

WHEREAS, A disruption in such a relationship between an individual and his or her doctor can be detrimental, especially to the State's elderly population; and

WHEREAS, Such changes can cause members to no longer receive necessary medical procedures, medications, or medical devices in a timely manner; therefore, be it

RESOLVED, BY THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES OF THE NINETY-NINTH GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF THE STATE OF ILLINOIS, that we urge the members of this body to give further consideration to allowing Medicare eligible members who participate in a State health insurance plan to remain in a Quality Care Health Plan rather than automatically being enrolled in a Medicare Advantage plan, to assure there will be no disruption in the healthcare relationships such members have previously established or in the receipt of necessary medical procedures, medications, and/or medical devices; and be it further

RESOLVED, That we urge the Department of Central Management Services to continue to work with members to aid in the best possible transition to a new health insurance plan as long as such a change is required; and be it further

RESOLVED, That a suitable copy of this resolution be delivered to the Department of Central Management Services.