HR0442 98TH GENERAL ASSEMBLY

HR0442 LRB098 12262 MST 46698 r

HOUSE RESOLUTION

WHEREAS, Assistive technology is technology used by individuals with disabilities in order to perform life functions that otherwise might be difficult or impossible; and

WHEREAS, Assistive technology benefits individuals with a broad range of disabilities of any age and in most domains of life, including the home, workplace, community, and school; and

WHEREAS, The technology benefiting individuals with disabilities continues to develop at a rapid pace; and

WHEREAS, There is a growing need and demand for assistive technology for persons with disabilities; and

WHEREAS, New assistive technology for many individuals with disabilities in Illinois may be unavailable due to cost and other factors; and

WHEREAS, Assistive technology reutilization or "reuse" programs make assistive technology more affordable for persons with disabilities who otherwise would go without it; and

WHEREAS, There is a growing recognition nationally that assistive technology reuse programs can address an unmet need for assistive technology for persons with disabilities; and

WHEREAS, Illinois' Medicaid program covers durable medical equipment (DME), which can include assistive technology; and

WHEREAS, Illinois' Medicaid program does not include an assistive technology reuse service; and

WHEREAS, Several other states have successfully implemented assistive technology reuse programs as part of their Medicaid plan and have realized cost savings; and

WHEREAS, The success of other states' assistive technology reuse programs depends on a partnership between their state Medicaid agency and the state Assistive Technology program, which take products in, make sure they are sanitized and repaired, post their availability to the public, match them to consumers, and ship the products out to consumers; therefore, be it

RESOLVED, BY THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES OF THE NINETY-EIGHTH GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF THE STATE OF ILLINOIS, that there is created the Medicaid Assistive Technology Reuse Task Force in the Department of Healthcare and Family Services to review and make recommendations with respect to how Illinois and its residents with disabilities might benefit from an assistive technology reuse program as part of the Medicaid program coverage of durable medical equipment, including the potential for net cost savings from such a program and increased availability of assistive technology for consumers; and be it further

RESOLVED, That the Task Force shall, among other relevant issues, review assistive technology reuse programs in other states and the partnerships with assistive technology projects in those states; and be it further

RESOLVED, That the members of Task Force shall be appointed by the Director of Healthcare and Family Services not later than January 1, 2014; the Task Force shall include a representative of the Illinois' federally-funded Assistive Technology project, at least one person with a disability, appropriate staff from the Department, a disability advocate, and other individuals deemed appropriate by the Director; and be it further

RESOLVED, That the Department of Healthcare and Family Services shall facilitate the Task Force and provide the Task Force with administrative support; the Department shall convene the Task Force at least three times, with the first meeting to occur not later than January 15, 2014, and issue a report with findings and recommendations to the General Assembly and to the Governor on or before March 1, 2014; and be it further

RESOLVED, That suitable copies of this resolution be delivered to the Governor and the Director of Healthcare and Family Services.