Rep. Syed Responds to Budget Address, Prioritizes Prescription Drug Affordability, Behavioral Health Coverage

SPRINGFIELD, Ill. – State Rep. Nabeela Syed, D-Inverness, issued the following statement in response to Gov. Pritzker’s budget address on Wednesday, in which she focused on her role as a
House leader in cutting the costs of prescription drugs:

“People in our community and all across Illinois deserve peace of mind knowing that they can afford the healthcare they need. People need medically vital procedures that don’t take a huge economic toll if the worst happens. People without exception should have access to lifesaving prescription drugs that are consistently affordable. Our budget should reflect those needs,” Syed said. “Since I have joined the General Assembly, fighting for low-cost healthcare and prescription drug affordability has been a priority for me, and it’s encouraging to see this fundamental right is a priority in the Governor’s address as well. In coming months, I’ll be going over this budget line-by-line to ensure that the needs our community sent me here to fight for are addressed-especially unnecessarily high medical costs.”

Syed filed House Bill 1448, which prohibits prior authorization and utilization management controls on behavioral health services. The budget proposal for the coming fiscal year included programs that prioritize similar actions.

“Denying behavioral health coverage by taking advantage of basic quality control tools, such as prior authorization and utilization management measures is a tactic insurance corporations use to rake in bigger profits,” Syed said. “The future of Illinois depends on comprehensive health coverage for everyone, regardless of their income. That coverage has to include not just physical health, but mental and behavioral health as well. Passing a budget reflecting those priorities is a big step forward.”