AARP praises General Assembly for preserving critical health care program

Older adults increasingly feeling the pinch of the recession got a significant break from the Illinois General Assembly, as legislators overrode a partial veto from Gov. Quinn on Thursday, preserving a program aimed at helping Medicare beneficiaries afford prescription drugs.

Last August, Governor Quinn imposed an amendatory veto on legislation (House Bill 366) that updated eligibility for a prescription drug benefit - called Illinois Cares Rx - designed to help Medicare beneficiaries. The veto could have led to the elimination of the entire program.

"The rising costs of health care puts needed prescription drugs out of reach for countless older individuals," said AARP Illinois State Director Bob Gallo. "On behalf of our 1.8 million Illinois members, AARP commends the General Assembly for overriding the veto on this bill, and helping to preserve a critical program for older adults."

Both the House and the Senate took action to override the veto, voting almost unanimously to save the critical health care program. Over 250,000 older Illinoisans will be benefited from the action.

Thursday's override will also allow the state to preserve the property tax relief grants for seniors under the Department on Aging's Circuit Breaker program, which the veto had made subject to appropriations. AARP continues to fight to prevent cuts and reductions to critical programs for older Illinoisans and their families. The Association urges citizens to call the Governor to stop the cuts, by dialing 1-888-616-3322.