Jones-Backing Legislation to Cap Insulin Costs, Lower Health Care Expenses for Diabetics

SPRINGFIELD, Ill. – In an ongoing effort to promote affordable health care, state Rep. Thaddeus Jones, D-Calumet City, is supporting of new legislation capping insulin costs for patients with diabetes at $100 per month.

“Millions of diabetics in Illinois are hurt by artificially-inflated insulin costs. Setting a cap on payments for insulin will save families across the state unnecessary financial hardship,” Jones said. “There are people who have had to ration insulin, or even skip doses because it is so expensive. That can’t be allowed to continue.”

Jones 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 inulin costs for the millions of adult diabetics in Illinois follows Jones’s pledge to build a stronger Illinois, which includes working to provide more affordable health care for families. This year, Jones also backed major legislation curtailing health insurance price hikes and supported a measure combating the Trump Administration’s attacks on health care accessibility.

“Canada’s health care costs are far lower than ours here in the United States, so it would be logical for Illinois to find ways to mirror that for our families,” Jones said. “I am always looking for new ways to expand affordable health care and this bill helps start that process, but there still remains additional action to be taken at the federal level to ensure everyone has the health care they need.”