02.27.2019 / Press Release
Proposed Bills in Illinois House Mark Laudable State-level Approach to Stymie Climbing Prescription Drug Costs
General Assembly Democrats Are Pushing Package to Bring Reform in State
Washington, D.C. – Families USA is applauding a package of bills that were recently introduced by Illinois House Democrats to tackle out-of-control prescription drug prices. The bills were discussed today during a press event and hearing where state Rep. Will Guzzardi and other lawmakers shared their proposals for prescription drug reform.
Guzzardi, who represents Illinois’s 39th district, is chairman of the new House Prescription Drug Affordability and Access Committee. In sum, the package of bills is an ambitious state-level approach to lower prescription drug costs.
Claire McAndrew, Director of Campaigns and Partnerships at Families USA, who spoke at the press event, said, “Although federal policymakers are engaging in important debates about how to tackle high drug costs, states cannot wait for the federal government to act. The General Assembly should pass the bills discussed today to put an end to prescription drug price gouging and other drug company abuses in Illinois.”
The package of bills include two bills by Rep. Guzzardi:
- HB 2880 is first-of-its-kind anti-price gouging legislation that will fine drug manufacturers for drug price increases beyond inflation;
- HB 3493 would create a Prescription Drug Affordability Board to set a price limit in Illinois for certain drugs that have high launch prices or large price increases.
“Like Americans across the country, Illinoisans are being crushed by the high cost of essential medicines. Far too many people are splitting pills or skipping prescriptions because they can’t afford them. And drug companies are making record profits by taking advantage of people who need medications. Our committee is committed to enacting these reforms so that consumers across Illinois can afford the medications they need,” Guzzardi said.
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