Smith Leads Effort to Control Cost of Insulin

CHICAGO – Launching an effort to lower the cost of critical lifesaving health care, state Rep. Nick Smith, D-Chicago, recently backed legislation that would control the cost of insulin for Illinois diabetics.

“Lowering the cost of lifesaving insulin is important to help some of our more vulnerable residents get the resources and medical care they need,” said Smith. “Over 1 million Illinois residents depend on this critical resource, many of whom are rationing their insulin because they can’t continue to afford the increasing prices each month.”

The Smith-backed Senate Bill 667 aims to address the high cost of insulin by limiting patients’ co-pays. The bill would set a cost ceiling at $100 per month, and is in response to insulin prices tripling between 2002 and 2013 according to a recent analysis. High costs have forced one in four diabetes patients to ration their insulin, according to the Yale School of Medicine.

“People shouldn’t have to pick between buying groceries for their family or buying their critically needed insulin,” said Smith. “This measure will help ease the financial burden many people deal with so they can manage their condition and not worry about running out of the insulin they need.”

For more information about this legislation, or any other questions regarding the state, please contact Smith’s full-time constituent office at 773-783-8800.