HR0681 LRB094 14829 DRJ 49820 r

1
HOUSE RESOLUTION

 
2     WHEREAS, A recent study funded by the National Institute of
3 Mental Health concluded that for some patients, the use of a
4 specific drug has measurable advantages over other medications
5 in the treatment of serious mental illnesses; and
 
6     WHEREAS, The Illinois Department of Healthcare and Family
7 Services has implemented a policy, effective October 1, 2005,
8 under which the Department will restrict access to certain
9 mental illness medications to persons receiving medical
10 assistance under the State's Medicaid program by imposing prior
11 approval requirements on those medications; and
 
12     WHEREAS, The Department's decision to restrict access to
13 those mental illness medications is particularly unfair
14 because, unlike other medications that have been restricted,
15 the decision to restrict access to certain drugs used to treat
16 mental illness does not permit people who are currently taking
17 a restricted medication to continue taking the medication
18 because there is no good alternative medication; and
 
19     WHEREAS, The Department's decision to restrict access to
20 mental health medications can result in higher costs to the
21 State and local units of government because people get sicker
22 after being denied medication and need additional costly
23 services, including hospitalization; therefore, be it
 
24     RESOLVED, BY THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES OF THE
25 NINETY-FOURTH GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF THE STATE OF ILLINOIS, that
26 we urge the Department of Healthcare and Family Services to
27 reconsider its decision to restrict access to medications used
28 for the treatment of serious mental illnesses for people on
29 Medicaid by imposing prior approval requirements on those
30 medications; and be it further
 

 

 

HR0681 - 2 - LRB094 14829 DRJ 49820 r

1     RESOLVED, That before additional mental illness
2 medications are made subject to prior approval restrictions
3 under the Medicaid program, a full and open hearing on the
4 matter should be held involving participation by the Department
5 of Healthcare and Family Services, the General Assembly, and
6 advocates for individuals suffering from mental illness; and be
7 it further
 
8     RESOLVED, That suitable copies of this resolution be
9 delivered to the Director of Healthcare and Family Services and
10 to the Governor.