From State Rep. Sue Ness:
This past week felt like this spring session was kicking into high gear.
The Governor gave his budget address last Wednesday and while it was short on specifics, it did provide a glimpse into the priorities of the Governor like healthcare costs and education.
In particular, his focus on prescription drug costs stood out to me.
When I was first elected to this role, I remember asking an agency liaison about insulin prices.
I was provided with a lengthy document outlining how the 3 main PBMs (pharmacy benefit managers) control the majority of drug costs.
The document further explained that the formulas for pricing drugs was “proprietary” and the State cannot demand the information.
I was immediately struck by that.
How can any organization receiving so much taxpayer money not have to disclose their pricing?
I began asking more questions and signing onto every bill that reduced the cost of drugs or increased transparency.
We capped insulin at $35 dollars a month a few sessions ago, and I look forward to working with the Governor to further reduce the price of drugs in the State of IL.
The proposed bill does many things and I am still reviewing it.
I will continue sharing more as I learn more.
I’m also watching with great concern as the Trump administration continues to cut the federal work force in key areas that will effect all of us.
There are going to be impacts for this as staff who control functions ranging from sending checks, reviewing applications, and monitoring everything from health data to water, leave and are not replaced.
The impacts will be felt far and wide and we as a State must be prepared.
How will we do that?
Ensuring critical services remain intact in the areas that matter most.
This includes lower income individuals, seniors, and individuals with developmental and intellectual disabilities.
It also means ensuring that our own State emergency management systems are resourced to respond to disasters here in IL.
My office will continue to assist constituents in every way we can. Let me know how you’re feeling about things, if you have feedback, or whatever is on your mind.
I want to hear from you.
