US EditionIllinois bill aims to lower cost of prescriptions, rein in pharmacy benefit managers
- On May 29, 2025, the Illinois Senate approved House Bill 1697, legislation designed to regulate pharmacy benefit managers and address rising prescription drug costs in the state.
- The bill responds to rising drug costs and independent pharmacies closing due to unfair reimbursement rates controlled by PBMs dominating 80% of the market.
- Key provisions include prohibiting spread pricing, stopping patient steering, improving transparency, and greatly enlarging the Critical Access Pharmacy Fund by increasing its annual allocation more than fourfold, from ten million dollars to forty-five million dollars.
- The Senate approved the bill 56-1, with Sen. Dave Koehler noting it 'softens' drug cost issues while Gov. JB Pritzker highlighted PBMs' predatory tactics extracting extra profits from patients.
- If enacted, the legislation aims to lower prescription drug costs, support rural and independent pharmacies, and curb PBMs' market practices harming local pharmacies and consumers.
21 Articles
21 Articles
America First Report
Uncanceled NewsArkansas Takes on Big Pharma: CVS Faces Shutdown After State’s Ban on Pharmacy Benefit Managers
Arkansas Gov. Sarah Huckabee Sanders signed a law (HB 1150) prohibiting Pharmacy Benefit Managers (PBMs) from owning pharmacies, aiming to curb conflicts of interest and lower drug prices. The law takes effect in 2026. CVS, which owns PBM Caremark Rx, claims the law will force it to close all 23 Arkansas locations unless it sells its pharmacies or drops PBM operations in the state. CVS argues the law will harm patient access, while Arkansas offi…
The Center Square
CNHI NewsIllinois lawmakers pass prescription drug pricing legislation
(The Center Square) – A bill that seeks to control the rising cost of prescription drugs while also offering financial help for many small, independent pharmacies has passed both chambers
Steamboat Pilot & Today
Colorado’s rural pharmacies get a lifeline after governor signs bill regulating prescription drug reimbursements
Rural Colorado pharmacists who say their businesses are struggling were thrown a lifeline under a new bill signed on Tuesday, May 27, by Gov. Jared Polis. House Bill 1222 aims to keep independent pharmacies open by ensuring fairer reimbursement rates for the prescription drugs they buy. “We also know that accessing medications is just as important as cutting costs, which is why I’m proud to sign this law today,” Polis said in a statement follo…
Capitol Fa - Your Illinois News Radar » It’s just a billCapitolFax.com
* WAND… A bill led by Gov. JB Pritzker’s office to drop drug prices through PBM reformed passed the Illinois Senate Thursday. Pharmacy Benefit Managers, or PBM’s for short are known as the middlemen of the drug industry, negotiating a price between insurance companies, drug makers and pharmacies. […] The bill championed by state Sen. Dave Koehler [...]
Shaw Local
Illinois bill aims to lower cost of prescriptions, rein in pharmacy benefit managers
A bill that seeks to control the rising cost of prescription drugs while also offering financial help for many small, independent pharmacies in Illinois cleared the state Senate on Thursday and awaits action in the House
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