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Chicago City Council's Committee on Buildings unanimously passed an ordinance to add Chapter 18-11, one devoted exclusively to accessibility provisions of the Chicago Building Code. Chapter 18-11 requires that a certain percentage of the total number of units in a development be adaptable and visitable by people with disabilities. Adaptability allows for the installation of accessible features without major structural modifications. Visitability calls simply for first-floor features, such a zero-step entrance, that allow an individual with a disability to visit with friends or family. Including such features in new construction will not only increase housing options for those currently with disabilities, but will also ensure that the aging baby-boom generation will find the housing they need in years to come. For more information on Chapter 18-11, call the Mayor's Office for People with Disabilities at (312) 744-4441 (Voice), (312) 744-4964 (TTY).
On June 16, 2003, Illinois Governor Rod R. Blagojevich signed legislation aimed at making prescription drugs more affordable for Illinois’ senior citizens and residents with disabilities by creating a first of its kind program that combines the purchasing power of a drug discount club with that of state agencies. According to a press release issued by the Office of the Governer, "under the terms of the legislation (companion bills House Bill 209 and Senate Bill 3), a state-run club for seniors and the disabled will allow members to present a membership card at participating pharmacies to receive state-negotiated discounts averaging between 20 percent and 30 percent on the cost of prescription drugs. Those eligible to enroll in the club – Illinois residents 65 years of age or older and the disabled – can join for a $25 a year fee that will be used to offset the cost of state workers to administer the plan and possibly a private contractor to manage the program. Circuit Breaker participants will be automatically enrolled in the program and help build market share with its 50,000 members."
November 2003 - Wisconsin - AB 229 / SB90 - Universal Health Care in WisconsinWisconsin Legislators have recently introduced bills in both the state Assembly and Senate that would create a Universal Health plan for Wisconsin residents. A Universal Health plan would provide medically necessary coverage to those who do not have access to typical means of health coverage and who are not eligible for Medicare or Medicaid. If the bills are passed, coverage is expected to begin July 1, 2006. To learn more about these bills, visit the AB 229 and SB 90 summaries on-line.
Introduced by Senators Tim Carpenter, Fred Risser and Roger M. Breske, SB 114 can alleviate the financial burden that tens of thousands of Wisconsin residents with disabilities face in paying for their life saving prescription medications. Many Wisconsin residents with disabilities simply cannot afford the hundreds of dollars needed monthly to fill their prescriptions. Such residents often take drastic and dangerous measures, such as taking only half of their prescribed dose in an effort to reduce their monthly prescription expenses. The creators of SB 114 believe the solution to this problem is to expand SeniorCare benefits to younger adults with disabilities. SeniorCare, enacted in the last legislative session, now covers costly prescriptions for those 65 or older. The bill proposes that an increase of just one nickle on the price of tobacco could sustain the coverage extended to younger adults with disabilities.
If this bill will benefit you or your loved ones, it is up to you to see that it is bill is passed. The first step is to contact the chair of the Senate Health Committee, Senator Carol Roessler, to see that she approves a public hearing on this bill. Contact Senator Roessler at (608) 266-5300 or sen.roessler@legis.state.wi.us. You may also wish to contact your local representative to ask for their support of SB 114. For contact information of your local representative, visit the website of the Wisconsin State Legislature.
Before contacting your representatives, please take the time to learn more about the provisions of SeniorCare.
Governor Jim Doyle unveiled his biennial budget to the state on February 18, 2003. Wisconsin is facing a $3.2 billion deficit in the coming budget and nearly $500 million in the current budget. In balancing the budget, the Governor does not plan to raise taxes, inevitably leading to program cuts. Governor Doyle said that cuts in services and programs would affect all Wisconsin citizens. To learn more about how budget cuts will affect you, visit Disability Advocates: Wisconsin Network online.
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