Kalish Backs Measure to Increase Access to Affordable Health Care, Lower Insulin Medication Costs

CHICAGO – Continuing his fight to improve access to affordable health care for the middle class, state Rep. Yehiel “Mark” Kalish, D-Chicago, is supporting legislation capping payments for lifesaving insulin medication at $100 per month.

“Big insurance and pharmaceutical companies are padding their profits off the backs of working families, forcing people with diabetes to forego vital insulin treatments because they can’t afford their medication,” Kalish said. “We can’t allow these outrageous rate hikes to continue to jeopardize the lives of diabetes patients across the state.”

Kalish is supporting Senate Bill 667, a new proposal seeking to cap patients’ insulin payments at $100 a month. This bill is addressing the massive spike in insulin prices; between 2002 and 2013, out-of-pocket costs for insulin increased almost 300%. There are 1.3 million adult diabetics in Illinois, many of whom regularly rely on insulin to maintain their health and quality of life. Capping insulin costs for the millions of adult diabetics in Illinois is part of Kalish’s broader effort to improve the affordability and accessibility for every resident in Illinois.

“The price of these lifesaving medications is more than just a number on a spreadsheet for big pharma; the increased cost is having severe consequences for diabetes patients and I refuse to stand idly by,” Kalish said. “Health care is a human right and I will continue to fight to ensure that every resident of our state has access quality and affordable care.”