Legislation to Cap Insulin Costs Backed by Costa Howard

SPRINGFIELD, Ill. – State Rep. Terra Costa Howard, D-Glen Ellyn, is working to protect the health and lives of diabetics who need insulin by co-sponsoring legislation to cap the monthly co-payment that patients can be charged for insulin purchases.  

“I am outraged that giant pharmaceutical companies are gouging patients by inflicting massive price increases – even though they know that many patients are simply unable to pay,” said Costa Howard. “People with diabetes are now being charged hundreds of dollars a month in co-pays, and they risk their lives if they can’t afford to buy enough insulin to control their disease. We need to stand up and protect people in Illinois whose lives depend on access to affordable insulin.”

Insulin prices been soaring over the past five years, making the life-saving injections unaffordable for many people who have no health insurance or whose insurance plans require expensive co-pays for pharmaceutical prescriptions. As a result, many Americans with diabetes have been forced to find ways to ration their insulin use, even though skimping on insulin can cause severe medical problems. Some people have died because they could no longer afford their insulin.

Under Senate Bill 667, which passed the Senate with overwhelming support, co-pays for people who need insulin to control their diabetes would be capped at $100 a month.

“Diabetes is a deadly disease,” said Costa Howard. “When big drug companies put profits over people, my constituents expect me to speak out and take action. I am proud to be a co-sponsor of Senate Bill 667, and I urge lawmakers in the House to move quickly to pass this bill and assure affordable access to insulin for people with diabetes in Illinois.”