Lake County Gazette

The Access to Affordable Insulin Act caps the cost of insulin to no more than $35 per month. In an Aug. 11 Facebook post, Rep. Martin McLaughlin discussed why he signed on to the bill.

"I signed on as a co-sponsor to the Access to Affordable Insulin Act because there is a need to protect our most vulnerable citizens, especially our children," McLaughlin said. "This law provides a discount program allowing at-risk diabetics to purchase insulin for just $35 a month."

The Access to Affordable Insulin Act, first known as House Bill 2189, then as Public Act 103-0429, was first filed by Rep. Will Guzzardi, and “In provisions concerning cost sharing in prescription insulin drugs, provides that an insurer that provides coverage for prescription insulin drugs under the terms of a health coverage plan the insurer offers shall limit the total amount that an insured is required to pay for a 30-day supply of covered prescription insulin drugs at an amount not to exceed $35 (rather than $100.)” The bill will go into effect on July 1, 2025.

McLaughlin shared a link in his Facebook post to an expanded statement on the signing of House Bill 2189 into law. 

“There are many studies pointing to the vast number of our citizens struggling to afford insulin, so this law will certainly help families across the state. Participants of this program will receive a card from the state explaining how pharmacies will apply the discount. This program will be administered by the Department of Insurance and help our at-risk citizens with the purchase of their insulin at a reduced, post-rebate price. This law will be a good step forward toward reducing the financial strain on families grappling with diabetes,” McLaughlin said in his extended statement.

This isn’t the first action the state has taken to make necessary diabetes care and medication more affordable to Illinois residents, but the 2021 bill that capped insulin costs didn’t apply to individuals who had self-insurance plans regulated by the federal government. It only applied to those who had state-run insurance plans, according to an ABC20 report.

McLaughlin was first elected to the Illinois House in 2020. A Republican, their legislative experience includes serving on the Revenue & Finance and Prescription Drug Affordability. McLaughlin is a state representative who resides in Barrington Hills, according to the Illinois House.