- Published: Thursday, May 30, 2019 02:52 PM
SPRINGFIELD – State Senator Andy Manar has introduced legislation that would protect Illinoisans from the skyrocketing price of insulin by capping the amount patients would need to pay for the life-saving medication.
“In the last 20 years or so we’ve seen the price of insulin rise to outlandish levels,” said Manar, a Bunker Hill Democrat. “We have a responsibility as lawmakers to help get these prices under control and make this life-saving medication more available to those who need it.”
Senate Bill 667 would cap co-payments for insulin at $100 per month for all patients regardless of the supply they require.
The price of insulin has increased exponentially in the U.S. in the past several years. According to a 2016 study, the price of the drug tripled between 2002 and 2013.
If passed, the measure would make Illinois the second state in the country to cap insulin payments.
Nearly 7.5 million Americans with diabetes rely on insulin to manage their blood sugar levels. Price increases have left many of them struggling to pay for the drug and at risk of deadly consequences. Some people are forced to ration the medication until they can afford the next prescription or forego it altogether.
“This isn’t just a financial issue, these price increases are putting peoples’ lives at stake,” Manar said. “We need immediate action on this issue and that’s what this bill represents.”
