Governor JB Pritzker joined Attorney General Kwame Raoul, healthcare advocates, independent pharmacists, and legislators to sign into law the Prescription Drug Affordability Act (HB 1697) and the Healthcare Protection Expansion Act (HB 3019), which will lower prescription drug costs and expand healthcare access, respectively. These reforms deliver on Gov. Pritzker’s healthcare initiatives outlined earlier this year and build on his commitment to improving affordability and access in Illinois’ healthcare system. Prescription Drug Affordability Act:

Holding Pharmacy Benefit Managers (PBM) Accountable: Addresses predatory practices by Pharmacy Benefit Managers (PBMs), the middlemen who negotiate prices between drug manufacturers, insurers, and pharmacies, delivering lower drug costs for Illinois families and protecting local pharmacies.

Lowering Costs for Illinois Families: Prevents PBMs from inflating medication costs by banning ‘spread pricing.’; Stops arbitrary drug classifications that limit access and charge consumers more; Bans PBMs from steering consumers to large-scale pharmacies in which the PBM has a financial interest.

Protecting Local Pharmacies: Establishes a $25 million grant through DCEO for the creation of the Prescription Drug Affordability Grant program to support independent pharmacies; Streamlines the Critical Access Pharmacy Program overseen by the Department of Healthcare and Family Services (HFS), providing assistance to pharmacies in rural and underserved communities.