Didech-Backed Law Reins in Prescription Drug Costs, Protects Families from Being Denied Coverage

SPRINGFIELD, Ill. – State Rep. Daniel Didech, D-Buffalo Grove, is fighting to protect access to health care with a new law creating Illinois’ first comprehensive system to rein in prescription drug costs and ensure hospital visits are covered, regardless of whether the diagnosis turns out to be an emergency or not.   

“Access to health care is a basic human right and our health care system is failing to provide that to the middle class,” Didech said. “This reform will ensure the well-being of our local seniors and families by putting in place a comprehensive way to rein in the costs of potentially lifesaving drugs and protect access to care.”

Didech voted to pass House Bill 465, which creates the state’s first comprehensive regulatory framework for pharmacy benefit managers (PBMs), in an attempt to rein in the rising costs of prescription drugs. The Didech-backed reform also protects consumers entering the emergency room from being denied coverage, regardless of whether their diagnosis turns out to be a non-emergency. Recently, insurance companies like Anthem have rolled out plans in states like Missouri that allow them to deny paying an individual’s emergency room visit if they deem such visit as “non-emergent care.”  

“What insurance companies are doing in Missouri is immoral. They are threatening families with thousands of dollars of debt, if they seek emergency medical services,” Didech said. “This new law makes it very clear to big pharmaceutical and insurance companies that Illinois will not tolerate anti-consumer policies that put profits over people.”