Public Act 096-0082
 
HB0706 Enrolled LRB096 07690 DRJ 17791 b

    AN ACT concerning veterans.
 
    Be it enacted by the People of the State of Illinois,
represented in the General Assembly:
 
    Section 5. The Veterans' Health Insurance Program Act of
2008 is amended by changing Section 45 as follows:
 
    (330 ILCS 126/45)
    (Section scheduled to be repealed on January 1, 2012)
    Sec. 45. Reporting.
    (a) The Department shall prepare an annual report for
submission to the General Assembly. The report shall be due to
the General Assembly by January 1 of each year beginning in
2009. This report shall include information regarding
implementation of the Program, including the number of veterans
enrolled and any available information regarding other
benefits derived from the Program, including screening for and
acquisition of other veterans' benefits through the Veterans'
Service Officers and the Veterans' Assistance Commissions.
This report may also include recommendations regarding
improvements that may be made to the Program and regarding the
extension of the repeal date set forth in Section 85 of this
Act.
    (b) The Department shall also arrange for the conducting of
an evaluation regarding the availability of and access to
health care for veterans who are residents of Illinois, taking
into consideration the program established by this Act,
programs and services provided by the U.S. Department of
Veterans Affairs, and programs and services otherwise provided
by and available through other public and private entities. The
evaluation shall determine whether there are limitations or
barriers to care, gaps in service, or other deficits that
should be overcome to ensure that veterans are provided
appropriate and high-quality care. The Department shall report
on the results of this evaluation to the Governor and the
General Assembly by March 1, 2010.
(Source: P.A. 95-755, eff. 7-25-08.)
 
    Section 99. Effective date. This Act takes effect upon
becoming law.