Pappas-Backed Law Streamlining Pharmacies, Increasing Access to Medication Soon Taking Effect

SPRINGFIELD, Ill. – Medication will be more accessible to patients under a new law backed by state Rep. Diane Pappas, D-Itasca, which is going into effect on Jan. 1.

“Our community deserves a health care system that benefits them,” Pappas said. “When pharmacies are forced to take actions designed to drive insurance company profits over what’s best for people who need medication, patients suffer. Costs are higher, wait times are longer and red tape stands in the way of people getting critical prescriptions.”

Pappas worked to pass House Bill 2160, which requires the Department of Insurance (DOI) and the Department of Health and Family Services (HFS) to develop simple, uniform authorization forms that providers and insurers must use for prescription drugs, replacing a myriad of company-specific forms. Beginning in January, all non-standard forms will be combined into one for commercial insurers and one for managed care organizations.

“We’re working to build a stronger Illinois with health care that costs less and puts the needs of the patient first,” Pappas said. “Adding extra days of wait time to pad the profits of insurance companies isn’t fair to our community. I’ll continue to work to streamline the prescription process and get people the health care they need.”