HB 4449

Abstract

Amends the Senior Citizens and Disabled Persons Property Tax Relief and Pharmaceutical Assistance Act. In connection with the pharmaceutical assistance program, provides eligibility for persons who have a maximum household income at or below 225% of the Federal Poverty Level if they qualify under certain conditions. Eliminates an Eligibility Group consisting of persons who are disabled and under age 65, or age 65 or older with incomes related to 200% of the Federal Poverty Level, and who are eligible for Medicare Part D coverage. Provides that for persons who have a diagnosis of HIV or AIDS, "covered prescription drug" means those drugs covered by the Medicare Part D Prescription Drug Plan in which the beneficiary is enrolled (eliminates a reference to drugs included in the formulary of the Illinois AIDS Drug Assistance Program operated by the Illinois Department of Public Health). Provides that in defining countable income for purposes of the pharmaceutical assistance program, the Department of Healthcare and Family Services or the Department on Aging must disregard the cost-of-living increase to any benefit administered by the Social Security Administration in any year that the percentage increase of the Social Security Administration cost-of-living adjustment is higher than the percentage increase in the Federal Poverty Level. Adds provisions concerning the effective date of eligibility for the pharmaceutical assistance program. Effective immediately.