Springfield, Ill. (WICS/WRSP) — Illinois Governor JB Pritzker put pen to paper on Friday to help stop the rising costs of insulin.
Gov. Pritzker signed a bill capping the cost of insulin for many in Illinois starting in 2021.
The Illinois General Assembly passed the bill last year putting a cap on insulin costs that could also save thousands of lives.
The bill makes it so all patients, regardless of the supply they require, will only have to pay $100 a month.
The price of insulin has drastically increased in the United States in the past several years.
According to a 2016 analysis, the price of the drug tripled between 2002 and 2013.
The cap will apply to everyone except those who have Medicare and Medicaid.
The measure makes Illinois the second state in the country to cap insulin payments.
Governor JB Pritzker released the following statement in November 2019 after both chambers of the General Assembly passed legislation to cap insulin costs for Illinois families:
“Skyrocketing prescription drug prices are an enormous burden for too many Illinois families, and this legislation will significantly lower out-of-pocket costs for the 1.3 million Illinoisans that rely on insulin,” said Governor JB Pritzker. “It’s fitting that on World Diabetes Day, Illinois has taken bold action to protect our residents’ health, rather than force them to use lower quality medication or even ration their supply. We are proud that Illinois continues to be a national leader in ensuring health care is a right and not a privilege. This important step forward for lowering health care costs is the result of the tireless advocacy of Sen. Andy Manar, Rep. Will Guzzardi and so many other champions. I look forward to signing this legislation and continuing my commitment to ensuring Illinois residents have access to comprehensive, high-quality and affordable health care coverage.”
Governor Pritzker’s signature on Friday is one that will likely save Illinois residents thousands, if not tens of thousands, of dollars a year.
