For more than four years, a bill to establish a Prescription Drug Affordability Board has floated through the halls of Illinois’s Statehouse to no avail.
Now, bipartisan group of lawmakers is taking another shot with the bill’s fifth incarnation.
Prescription drugs are one of the largest healthcare related costs in the country, according to the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services. That department reported Americans spent $406 billion out of pocket on retail prescription drugs in 2022. But some Illinois lawmakers believe state affordability boards are the first step toward lowering drug costs.
“If we have the ability to review some of these drugs that pose the biggest affordability challenge, then we will hopefully see all health insurance premiums decrease across the board,” Illinois State Rep. Nabeela Syed told the Sun-Times Wednesday.
This is a developing story. Check back for updates.