HR0806 102ND GENERAL ASSEMBLY

HR0806 LRB102 27150 ECR 38653 r

HOUSE RESOLUTION

WHEREAS, Prescription drugs are an essential part of good health care and a critical component of our health care system; and

WHEREAS, For people with Type 1 diabetes, near-constant self-management of glucose levels is essential to prevent life-threatening complications, but from 2012 to 2016, the average price of insulin increased from 13 cents per unit to 25 cents per unit; and

WHEREAS, The U.S. House of Representatives recently passed legislation that would cap the monthly cost of insulin at $35 for the millions of diabetic Americans who rely on the drug; this legislation has now been sent to the U.S. Senate; and

WHEREAS, The majority of the Illinois' Congressional Delegation stood behind capping insulin costs, but Representatives Rodney Davis, Adam Kinzinger, Mary Miller, and Darin LaHood shamefully put pharmaceutical companies' profits ahead of patient care and voted to block the measure; and

WHEREAS, More steps can be taken to reduce prescription drug costs and put patient health ahead of pharmaceutical giants' profits, including reforming the broken patent system that allows pharmaceutical companies to avoid competition and keep prices high; therefore, be it

RESOLVED, BY THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES OF THE ONE HUNDRED SECOND GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF THE STATE OF ILLINOIS, that we again strongly declare our commitment to ensuring access to affordable prescription drugs for all Illinois residents, regardless of income, race, or location; and be it further

RESOLVED, That we urge the U.S. Senate to follow the U.S. House of Representatives and pass the $35 insulin cap and further urge President Biden to sign this crucial legislation into law; and be it further

RESOLVED, That we condemn the actions of Representatives Rodney Davis, Adam Kinzinger, Mary Miller, and Darin LaHood in voting for unaffordable insulin; and be it further

RESOLVED, That we direct the Department of Healthcare and Family Services to study what steps can most effectively reduce the cost of prescription drugs in Illinois and report their findings to the General Assembly; and be it further

RESOLVED, That suitable copies of this resolution be delivered to the Governor, all Illinois constitutional officers, and all members of the Illinois Congressional Delegation in order to bring further awareness to the importance of access to affordable medication, including life-saving drugs like insulin.