IL lawmakers push discount drug legislation to prevent restricted access

By Jim Talamonti | The Center Square
The Center Square

(The Center Square) – Illinois lawmakers are pushing an amendment to ban restrictions or interference with a federal discount drug program.

Speaking at a rally in Chicago on Sunday, state Rep. Anna Moeller, D-Elgin, said access to affordable medication is a lifeline, not a luxury.

“The 340B program is one of the most important tools that we have to keep medications affordable for low-income families, seniors and patients with chronic conditions,” Moeller said.

The Elgin Democrat said Senate Amendment No. 2 to House Bill 2371 would prevent manufacturers from imposing limits that make it harder for providers to deliver discounted medication.

“These restrictions hurt the very people this program was designed to help,” Moeller said.

The measure has bipartisan support. Co-sponsors include state Sens. Terri Bryant, R-Murphysboro, and Dale Fowler, R-Harrisburg.

Both the Illinois Senate and the House Executive Committee passed the measure unanimously. HB 2371 needs a concurrence vote in the House to be passed and then sent to the governor.

According to Moeller, programs like 340B “cost taxpayers nothing.”

Pharmaceutical Research and Manufacturers of America Deputy Vice President of Public Affairs Tom Wilbur said the 340B program was created by Congress to help low-income and uninsured patients access medicines, but there is little evidence that patients are benefiting.

“Instead, large tax-exempt hospitals and their for-profit partners are exploiting the program, buying medicines at steep discounts, and then marking them up by thousands of dollars. Across the country and here in Illinois, 340B is driving up costs for patients, taxpayers, and employers instead of providing savings reach those who need them most,” Wilbur told TCS.

Wilbur said PhRMA would continue working with policy makers to advance federal solutions that protect patients and increase transparency.

U.S. Rep. Danny Davis joined the rally in Chicago and urged Illinois House Speaker Emanuel “Chris” Welch, D-Hillside, to act.

“Speaker Welch, I try to stay out of state of Illinois business some, but I’m going to skip over that. I want you to please call this bill,” Davis said.

State Rep. La Shawn Ford, D-Chicago, is running to replace Davis, who is retiring at the end of his current term.

Ford also urged Welch to support Moeller’s legislation.

“Here’s your chance to give the people in Illinois that care for the most vulnerable people the resources that they need, because, of course, the state and the federal government falls very short on the reimbursement rates to take care of the patients,” Ford said.

Welch’s office did not immediately reply to a request for comment.

The House is next scheduled to meet Feb. 17.

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