Manar plan to cap insulin costs passes committee

SPRINGFIELD – An initiative to reign in the soaring cost of insulin for diabetes patients moved forward today.

Senate Bill 667, sponsored by State Senator Andy Manar (D-Bunker Hill), would cap co-payments for insulin at $100 per month for all patients regardless of the supply they require. The cap would only apply to commercial insurance plans regulated by the state. The legislation was approved 15-3-1 by the Senate Insurance Committee.

“For over a million Illinois residents, insulin is an absolute necessity. Without it, they will die,” Manar said. “Pharmaceutical companies are leveraging that fact in order to maximize profits. It’s time we hold them accountable.”

The price of insulin has drastically increased in the United States in the past several years. According to a 2016 analysis, the price of the drug tripled between 2002 and 2013.

1.3 million Illinoisans are living with diabetes and rely on insulin to manage their blood sugar levels. Price increases have left many of them struggling to pay for the drug and at risk of deadly consequences.

Read more: Manar plan to cap insulin costs passes committee

Crowe holds hearing on state’s approach to opioid epidemic

SPRINGFIELD – Members of the Senate’s special committee on Opioid Crisis Abatement held their first meeting under the leadership of State Senator Rachelle Crowe (D-Glen Carbon).

“There is a tremendous need for new ideas and research to combat Illinois’ opioid crisis,” Crowe said. “This committee’s goal is to produce real, comprehensive solutions.”

Jennifer Epstein, Director of Opioid Initiatives with the Department of Public Health, testified to the committee, giving feedback and status updates on the implementation of the State of Illinois’ Opioid Action Plan (SOAP) 2018 report.

Read more: Crowe holds hearing on state’s approach to opioid epidemic

Villivalam hosts Ela Gandhi for fireside chat on justice

SKOKIE – State Senator Ram Villivalam (D-Chicago) hosted a fireside chat with a panel of activists that included Ela Gandhi, granddaughter of Mahatma Gandhi.

Mandali Buddha Prasad, former Deputy Speaker of the Indian state of Andhra Pradesh, and David Grengan, President of the Pietermaritzburg Gandhi Committee RSA, also sat on the panel. Villivalam and the panelists discussed Gandhi’s civil rights work, his commitment to nonviolent resistance and his dedication to bridging racial and religious divides.

Read more: Villivalam hosts Ela Gandhi for fireside chat on justice

Morrison reminds Illinoisans of ‘Red Flag’ law

SPRINGFIELD – Oftentimes following a mass shooting, friends, family members or neighbors mention they were worried about the person’s threatening behavior but didn’t know where to turn.

“Time and time again, we hear family members say they were worried that someone close to them would harm others, but they didn’t know who to tell until it was too late,” said State Senator Julie Morrison. “Previously, if a person did report disturbing behavior, there was not a law in place to allow law enforcement to step in.”

The far too common occurrence led the Deerfield Democrat to pass the Firearms Restraining Order Act – also known as the “Red Flag” law.

Read more: Morrison reminds Illinoisans of ‘Red Flag’ law