Illinois General Assembly - Bill Status for SB0627

Deletes everything after the enacting clause. Creates the Veterans' Health Insurance Program Act. Establishes the Veterans' Health Insurance Program to provide health insurance to veterans, to be administered by the Department of Healthcare and Family Services. Sets forth requirements for eligibility, notice of decisions to terminate eligibility, health care benefits, and cost-sharing. Requires the Department to coordinate with the Illinois Department of Veterans' Affairs. Authorizes the Department of Healthcare and Family Services to adopt rules necessary to establish and implement the Act through the use of emergency rulemaking. Amends the Illinois Public Aid Code. Subjects the Veterans' Health Insurance Program Act to provisions concerning charges upon claims and causes of action for injuries, right of subrogation, recoveries, and back pay. Provides for the severability of the Act. Effective September 1, 2006.

Replaces everything after the enacting clause. Reinserts provisions substantially similar to those of the engrossed bill, creating the Veterans' Health Insurance Program Act and amending the Illinois Public Aid Code, but with changes that include the following: (1) in provisions concerning the legislative intent with respect to the Veterans' Health Insurance Program, provides that the State has only a limited amount of resources, and the General Assembly therefore declares that while it intends to cover as many such veterans as possible, the State may not be able to cover every eligible person who qualifies for this Program as a matter of entitlement due to limited funding; (2) provides that the Program is not an entitlement; (3) provides that the Department of Healthcare and Family Services Department shall operate the Program in a manner so that the estimated cost of the Program during the fiscal year will not exceed the total appropriation for the Program; (4) changes some of the eligibility requirements for the Program, including the income threshold; (5) provides for the involvement of Veterans Assistance Commissions and Commissioners; (6) requires that all applicants must be reviewed for Veterans Health Administration eligibility or other existing health benefits prior to consideration for the Program; (7) provides that the cost-sharing elements in connection with the program shall be similar to the cost-sharing utilized under the Covering ALL KIDS Health Insurance Act, except that premiums shall be adjusted to reflect the increased cost of insuring an adult compared to a child; (8) requires a report by the Department by April 30, 2007; and (9) repeals the Veterans' Health Insurance Program Act on January 1, 2008. Amends the State Finance Act; provides that in addition to any other transfers that may be provided for by law, on July 1, 2006, or as soon thereafter as practical, the State Comptroller shall direct and the State Treasurer shall transfer the sum of $2,000,000 from the General Revenue Fund to the Illinois Veterans Assistance Fund. Effective immediately.

Amends provisions concerning eligibility for the Veterans' Health Insurance Program. Provides that to be eligible for the Program, a person must have a household income no greater than the sum of (i) an amount equal to 25% of the federal poverty level plus (ii) an amount equal to the Veterans Administration means test income threshold (instead of no greater than 225% of the federal poverty level) at the initiation of the Program. Provides that depending on the availability of funds, this level may be increased to an amount equal to the sum of (iii) an amount equal to 50% of the federal poverty level plus (iv) an amount equal to the Veterans Administration means test income threshold (instead of increased to 250% of the federal poverty level) after 6 months of operation. Provides that this means test income threshold is subject to alteration by the Department of Healthcare and Family Services.

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