 "Every day, disabled individuals face challenges many of us wouldn't
think twice about. Things most of us take for granted -- like
shopping, filling our cars with gas, even owning our own homes --
are more difficult for them. But quality health care at an
affordable rate should not be one of those challenges," said
Blagojevich. "I am happy to sign a law to help make sure that
disabled people have equal access to what is a fundamental right."
The bill was sponsored by state Sen. Maggie Crotty, D-Oak Forest,
and state Rep. Elaine Nekritz, D-Des Plaines.
Prior to this legislation, these policies were not subject to any
premium or rate regulation, the result being that companies were
allowed to charge higher premiums based simply on the individual's
disability. Currently the average premium for a Medicare
supplemental policy for those under 65 is $6,158. Because of this
legislation, the highest average premium for individuals with
disabilities will be $2,801.
Senate Bill 873 becomes effective June 1, 2008.
On Monday, the governor also signed into law two bills that
create checkoffs to be added to the Illinois individual income tax
return next year. Senate Bill 796 creates a new checkoff for lung
cancer research, and Senate Bill 797 creates a checkoff for
autoimmune disease research.
Senate Bill 796, sponsored by state Sen. John J. Cullerton,
D-Chicago, and state Rep. Fred Crespo, D-Streamwood, adds lung
cancer research to the causes for which taxpayers can donate when
filing their state income tax return and creates the Lung Cancer
Research Fund to collect money received from the checkoff. The
Illinois Department of Public Health is designated to make grants to
public and private not-for-profit entities for the purpose of lung
cancer research.
According to 2003 data from the U.S. Center for Disease Control,
lung cancer is the third-most prevalent form of cancer in Illinois.
Last month, Blagojevich signed the Smoke-Free Illinois Act to
protect millions of Illinoisans from the dangers of lung cancer by
imposing a statewide ban on smoking in all public places, including
bars, restaurants, public buildings and work places.
The new legislation becomes effective immediately.
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Senate Bill 797, sponsored by state Sen. Deanna Demuzio,
D-Carlinville, and state Rep. Gary Hannig, D-Gillespie, will add
autoimmune disease research to causes for which taxpayers can donate
when filing their state tax returns and creates the Autoimmune
Disease Research Fund, which will collect the money received from
the checkoff. The Department of Public Health is designated as the
agency to make grants to public or private entities for the purpose
of research for the treatment and cure of autoimmune diseases.
Autoimmune disease refers to any disease that results from an
aberrant immune response, including rheumatoid arthritis, lupus and
scleroderma. According to the National Institutes of Health
Autoimmune Disease Coordinating Committee, autoimmune diseases
afflicted 5 percent to 8 percent of the U.S. population in 2002.
"Although autoimmune diseases are prevalent in our society, they
often get forgotten in the list other medical causes to support.
This checkoff will bring much-needed money to research to increase
the quality of life for those suffering from one of these diseases,"
said bill sponsor Demuzio.
The legislation becomes effective immediately.
Lung cancer and autoimmune disease will be added to the list of
checkoffs on the Illinois individual income tax return, which also
includes 13 other causes, such as wildlife preservation, child abuse
prevention, Alzheimer's disease research and assistance to the
homeless.
To prevent the list of checkoffs from becoming too long and
overwhelming taxpayers, Senate Bill 797 also limits the number of
checkoffs on the Illinois individual income tax return to no more
than 15 at any one time. Checkoffs have to raise $100,000 in a
fiscal year for their cause in order to be included on the next
year's tax return.
[Text from file received from
the
Illinois Office of
Communication and Information]
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