Working for Illinois Caucus

Plainfield-Oswego Democratic State Representative Harry Benton is staying busy during the current legislative recess, including filing a bill regarding saving on prescription drug costs for consumers. House Bill 5865 was filed with the clerk of the General Assembly on Friday, July 19.

Benton said the goal of the bill is simple: to save consumers money on their prescriptions.

The proposed bill would amend the Illinois Insurance Code and mandate that, effective January 1, 2025, insurance policies covering prescription drugs must determine a covered individual’s cost sharing at the point of sale, using a price reduced by at least 100% of all rebates received. Any rebate amount exceeding the cost sharing must be used by the insurer to lower premiums. Insurers are permitted to further reduce the covered individual’s cost sharing beyond the stated amount at the point of sale.

Authorization would be given to the Department of Insurance to adopt rules to enforce these provisions. Benton said he is working on additional legislation during the break.