Carroll Backing Legislation to Cap Insulin Costs in Illinois

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SPRINGFIELD, Ill. – Fighting to expand access to more affordable health care, state Rep. Jonathan Carroll, D-Northbrook, is supporting legislation that sets the price of a month’s supply of insulin at $100, helping  diabetes patients access their life-saving medication.

“Diabetes patients across Illinois have had to deal with skyrocketing insulin costs, a life-saving medicine diabetics can’t live without,” Carroll said. “They already are facing the dangers and difficulties of a serious disease. People don’t deserve the extra burden of overpriced medication putting a strain on their finances; often limiting their ability to get enough insulin.”

Carroll is supporting Senate Bill 667, a new proposal seeking to  caps patients’ insulin payments at $100 a month. This bill is addressing the  massive spike in insulin prices, whichbetween 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 Carroll’s pledge to build a stronger Illinois, which includes more affordable health care for families. This year, Carroll spearheaded major legislation that requires Illinois insurance companies to cover the cost of EpiPens for people 18, helping remove another huge financial burden for families with children who suffer from food allergies. He also modernized Illinois’ food-labeling laws to now include sesame ingredients on packages, which is the first and only state-enacted law in the nation.

“Pharmaceutical companies are taking advantage of a serious medical need to pad their profits, and I refuse to let that continue,” Carroll said. “Because of high costs, patients are forced to ration their medication, or even skip it, and that poses a serious public health risk. I urge my colleagues to put their support behind this legislation.”