SPRINGFIELD, Ill. (WAND) — State lawmakers and advocates believe prescription drugs don't work if people can't afford them. That's why Sen. Dave Koehler (D-Peoria) and Rep. Nabeela Syed (D-Palatine) are proposing Illinois creates a prescription drug affordability board.
The Coalition for Prescription Drug Affordability told reporters Wednesday that increasing access to life-saving drugs is critical for everyone, and they hope to see Illinois become the ninth state with an affordability board.
Koehler said the older you get, the more medication becomes part of your healthcare plan.
"Seniors get really priced out of the market," Koehler said. "It's not right in America where you have people having to decide between paying their rent or putting food on the table or having their medications paid for."
This plan would establish an independent five member board to evaluate the high costs of drugs and set reasonable rates for people to pay. Members of the board could propose appropriate rates for drugs they review and give manufacturers the opportunity to justify the existing price.
"Being forced to skip or miss their medications, which seriously harms their quality of life and puts their lives in danger is completely unacceptable," said Ryan Gruenenfelder, the senior director of advocacy and outreach for AARP Illinois.
This comes as 28% of Illinoisans report rationing their medications because they cannot afford refills. Advocates said the prescription affordability board could set an upper payment limit that applies to the entire supply chain once they determine a fair payment rate.
"As US citizens, we must say no to price discrimination when millions of Americans struggle to afford drug costs meanwhile the same drugs are sold cheaper in other parts of the world," said Dr. Anthony Douglas from the University of Chicago Medical Center.
The prescription drug affordability board would have the ability to consider multiple economic factors that impact customers when they evaluate high-cost and brand name medications. This change could be critical for people who are constantly told that they should use a less expensive drug even though it may not be as effective.
"That is a significant issue that many folks in Illinois and our country are facing and one that we hope to address through this," Syed explained.
Sponsors also believe the affordability board can reduce health insurance premiums tied to medication costs. The Maryland Prescription Drug Affordability Board found that drug costs account for roughly 33% of total insurance premium costs.
"Even for folks lucky enough to not be on a prescription medication, rising drug costs affect all of our health insurance premiums with one-third of health insurance premium costs being attributed to high-cost prescription drugs," said Syed.
Experts believe low-income families and communities of color are some of the hardest hit by skyrocketing drug prices. A health care availability and access council made up of 15 stakeholders would provide input for the board to help set reasonable rates for these drugs.Â
"There are many therapies on the market that we label as life-saving and miraculous, but for too many Illinoisans, they are so expensive they might not as well exist," said Julie Sampson, Executive Director of Citizen Action Illinois.
The plan is supported by Citizen Action Illinois, AARP Illinois, AIDS Foundation Chicago and the Illinois Alliance for Retired Americans.
The House and Senate canceled their scheduled session Thursday, but they could address this plan when they return next month. House Speaker Emanuel "Chris" Welch (D-Hillside) has signed on as a co-sponsor. House Bill 4472 is assigned to the House Rules Committee.
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