Illinois State Senate District 31 issued the following announcement on Oct. 29.
Illinoisans with diabetes might soon expect relief from the skyrocketing cost of insulin, thanks to a new measure co-sponsored by Senator Melinda Bush (D-Grayslake).
“By capping the cost of insulin, we’re protecting diabetics and their families. People are being forced to skip meals and to default on their mortgages just to afford doses of a drug they need to live,” said Bush. “Prescription drug companies shouldn’t have that kind of power.”
Senate Bill 667 caps patients’ out-of-pocket costs for prescription insulin at $100 for a 30-day supply.
More than 30 million Americans have diabetes, and 7.4 million Americans require prescription insulin every day to survive, according to the American Diabetes Association. However, the price of insulin has risen sharply in recent years, driving many patients to give up other daily needs to pay for insulin or to ration their supply.
The legislation would make Illinois the second state to cap prescription insulin co-payments.
“People with diabetes can soon rest assured that they’re going to be able to pay for their next dose of insulin without sacrificing other necessities,” said Bush. “Prescription drug companies should not be able to put profit over people.”
The bill passed the Senate 48-7 and now heads to the House of Representatives.
Original source can be found here.