SJR37: Joint Resolution Text

LRB-2573/2

CMH:ahe

2017 - 2018 LEGISLATURE

2017 Senate JOINT RESOLUTION 37

April 20, 2017 - Introduced by Senators Carpenter, Hansen, Vinehout, Wirch, Ringhand, Johnson, L. Taylor and Miller, cosponsored by Representatives Kolste, Petryk, Zepnick, Hesselbein, Billings, Spreitzer, Mason, Milroy, Hebl, Sinicki, Kessler, Anderson, Zamarripa, C. Taylor, Crowley, Ballweg, Shankland, Subeck, Wachs and Berceau. Referred to Committee on Senate Organization.

SJR37,1,1 Relating to: recognizing the 15th anniversary of the start of SeniorCare.

SJR37,1,3 Whereas, as health care costs rise, access to affordable prescription medication is increasingly important to seniors for their health care; and

SJR37,1,8 Whereas, in response to a lack of prescription drug coverage for low-income seniors, the Wisconsin state legislature passed, and then Governor Scott McCallum signed into law, a proposal called “SeniorCare” to seek a waiver from Medicaid to start a pilot demonstration project to help deliver vital prescription drugs at an affordable cost to low-income seniors; and

SJR37,1,11 Whereas, in 2002, the federal Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services allowed a demonstration project for SeniorCare for a period of five years beginning in 2002; and

SJR37,1,15 Whereas, SeniorCare is notable in that it saves taxpayers money by allowing Wisconsin to negotiate with pharmaceutical companies for volume discounts, rebates, and other cost-saving measures that Medicare and Medicaid otherwise generally forbid; and

SJR37,2,3 Whereas, prior to the implementation of the Medicare Part D in 2006, SeniorCare was the only affordable pharmacy coverage available to low-income seniors in Wisconsin; and

SJR37,2,6 Whereas, SeniorCare generally costs less than Medicare Part D, has a much simpler application and enrollment process, and has a wide availability of covered drugs; and

SJR37,2,11 Whereas, since 2006 SeniorCare has served as creditable alternative coverage and supplement for Medicare Part D. Individuals with prescription drug coverage under other health insurance plans may enroll in SeniorCare, which coordinates benefit coverage with all other health insurance coverage, including Medicare Part D; and

SJR37,2,13 Whereas, SeniorCare has been considered by many senior advocates to be the most successful state government program ever; and

SJR37,2,16 Whereas, in recognition of the success of this program Wisconsin has continuously sought and received a waiver from Medicaid for this program, and has a current waiver until December 2018; now, therefore, be it

SJR37,2,19 Resolved by the senate, the assembly concurring, That the Wisconsin legislature does hereby recognize the 15th anniversary of the start of SeniorCare, and wishes its continued success.

SJR37,2,20 (End)