While COVID limited the amount that the legislature was able to get together, a few laws did get passed starting in 2021. One of those laws is a law that will prevent pharmaceutical and insurance companies from charging hefty prices on Illinoisans suffering from diabetes. 

The bill which is sponsored by State Senator Andy Manar and State Representative Will Guzzardi goes into effect on January 1st. Illinois is the second state in the nation to cap out-of-pocket insulin costs at $100 per month for all patients using a state-regulated insurance plan, regardless of the supply they require. Senator Manar says this sends a message to health insurance companies and big pharmaceutical companies that “we don’t have to accept the status quo and can change the fact that prescription medication costs more in the US than any place in the world.” 

Nearly 1.3 million Illinoisans are living with diabetes and rely on insulin to manage their blood sugar levels. As part of the new law, Departments of Insurance, Human Services, and Healthcare and Family Services have to jointly issue an “insulin pricing report” to the public which outlines findings on pricing practices and ways that they are preventing overpricing of prescription drugs.