Pappas Working to Lower Insulin Costs, Provide More Affordable Care for Diabetics

SPRINGFIELD, Ill. – State Rep. Diane Pappas, D-Itasca, is pushing for more affordable health care for diabetics with her support of legislation capping monthly payments for insulin.

“Insulin is a critical drug for countless Illinoisans, and it should be affordable for everyone,” Pappas said. “Diabetics in our communities are facing massive costs for medications they need, often daily. Some patients have been forced to ration insulin; a clear health hazard that is completely avoidable.”

Pappas is supporting Senate Bill 667, legislation which caps patients’ insulin payments at $100 a month. This bill comes in response to the massive rise in insulin prices in previous years. Between 2002 and 2013, out-of-pocket costs for insulin increased almost 300%, and have continued their rapid surge since. There are 1.3 million adult diabetics in Illinois, many of whom regularly rely on insulin to maintain their health and quality of life.

“When I pledged to build a stronger Illinois, lowering the cost of health care for everyone was an important part of that promise,” Pappas said. “Big pharmaceutical companies are more concerned with padding their profits than preventing public health problems. Capping insulin prices to stop them from bankrupting patients is an important step towards fair and accessible medical care for everyone in our community.”