Manley Backs Measure to Control Costs of Prescription Drugs

SPRINGFIELD, Ill. – Continuing her efforts to make health care more affordable, state Rep. Natalie Manley, D-Joliet, recently helped pass legislation to prevent insurance companies from increasing the cost of prescriptions that middle-class families and seniors on fixed incomes rely on.

“Every year when families have the opportunity to re-evaluate and change their health care, they look at all of the costs associated with the potential plans,” Manley said. “When the cost of these plans change, often drastically, families are put in a difficult position of trying to find ways to pay for expensive, but necessary medicine.”

Manley’s House Bill 4146 would prevent insurance companies to change their coverage of prescription drugs during the plan year for individuals who are stable on their medication. For example, this would prevent insurance companies from increasing the price of insulin on a patient who has their diabetes under control with a prescription. Insurance companies would still be able to change prescription costs after the plan year has expired.

“Many people have no control over the health conditions they suffer from and should not constantly be worried that they prescription costs are going to sky-rocket month to month,” Manley said. “This legislation provides some financial security for people who depend on prescription drugs stay healthy.”