Tell IL Lawmakers: Say NO to Higher Prescription Drug Costs

Last year, state lawmakers considered legislation that would have raised the cost of prescription drugs for employers, their employees, patients, and taxpayers—to the tune of $1 billion every year. These bills would have hurt small businesses in two ways: 1) making it more expensive to provide affordable health care to their workforce; and 2) forcing them to make the difficult choice of either reducing the health care benefits they offer or increasing employee premiums and deductibles.

Furthermore, these measures would have imposed an additional $8.85 fee on nearly every prescription filled at the pharmacy counter each time—all while Illinois families are already struggling to manage record-breaking inflation and high taxes.

That’s not what Illinois voters want. Here is what they do want:

83% of Illinois voters say affordable, employer-provided health care and prescription drug coverage is important to them
68% of Illinois voters would rather go to a specific pharmacy for discounted prescription drugs than be able to pick up more-expensive medications anywhere

As the 2023 legislative session starts, we need your help reminding lawmakers of the prescription drug cost increase they almost passed and make sure they don’t try it again. Instead of raising costs on Illinois’ businesses and hardworking families, lawmakers must address the root causes of high prescription drug costs.

Join us in urging lawmakers not to raise health care costs in Illinois!

Dear [Lawmaker],

As you start the 2023 legislative session, I am writing to urge you to stand up to rising health care and prescription drug costs on behalf of people like me.

It’s clear this issue is a priority for many folks across our state.

Last year, state lawmakers considered legislation that would have raised the cost of prescription drugs for businesses and their workers, patients, and taxpayers—to the tune of $1 billion every year.

That’s not what Illinoisans want. Recent polling showed that:

-83% of Illinois voters say affordable, employer-provided health care and prescription drug coverage is important to them
-68% of Illinois voters would rather go to a specific pharmacy for discounted prescription drugs than be able to pick up more-expensive medications anywhere

As prescription drug prices continue to rise, it’s becoming too expensive for Illinois families to afford the lifesaving medications they need. We should never be forced to skip or adjust prescription doses due to cost.

To prevent additional cost increases for patients, we must reject any policy that would make it more difficult for businesses to offer quality health care and prescription drug coverage at a reasonable cost. We also need lawmakers to protect access to services like home delivery of prescription drugs.

As an influential leader on this issue, you have the opportunity to advocate on behalf of me and similar folks in our community. I encourage you to protect hardworking families and businesses by opposing any legislation that would raise our health care costs or reduce access to safe, affordable medications.

Sincerely,
______

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