Expanded Circuit Breaker Program Signed into Law

 June 15, 2000

LaGrange . . . State Representative Eileen Lyons (R-LaGrange) applauded the signing of the expanded senior Circuit Breaker program into law on Monday.  Lyons was a strong proponent in the negotiations that led to the program expansion being included in the budget.

  “Expanding the Circuit Breaker program means tens of thousands more seniors across the state will be able to take advantage of the benefits of this program,” said Lyons.  “Seniors will be able to take advantage of lower prescription costs, property tax relief and lower license plate fees.  The program is a benefit to any senior, but especially to those living on a fixed income.”

  The program was expanded by increasing the income threshold for one person to $21,218, $28,480 for a couple, and to $35,740 for a family of three. To receive prescription discounts, seniors pay only an annual fee of $25 and a per-prescription fee of $3, and then the first $2000 in prescriptions will be free.  After $2000, the participant pays only 20% of the remaining cost. 

  Also under this plan, the Aid to Aged, Blind and Disabled Program’s spend-down requirement and participation fee have been eliminated, and over the next three years the state will increase the income threshold to 100% of the federal poverty level.

  “Many seniors who didn’t quite qualify for the program before, will now be able to take advantage of the benefits,” said Lyons.  “Seniors in Illinois will no longer have to make the agonizing decision between buying food or paying for their prescriptions.”

  The expansion of the Circuit Breaker program and the AABD was fully supported by the American Association of Retired Persons (AARP).

  “For many seniors, the access that [this expansion] gives them to a broad range of medically necessary prescription drugs is a matter of life and death,” said Donna Ginther, a government relations liaison from AARP. 

  Governor George Ryan signed the expansion into law at a ceremony at the Southwest Suburban Senior Center in LaGrange.  For more information about the Circuit Breaker program, call Lyons’ office at (708) 352-7700

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