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"The skyrocketing
cost of prescription medications is a huge burden for consumers and
for taxpayers who help pay for state employees' health costs.
Anything we can do that safely and effectively reduces those costs
is definitely worth looking into," said Blagojevich.
Illinois joins other
states and local governments, including California and Springfield,
Mass., that have taken action on the issue.
If the state of
Illinois health provider plans are renegotiated, it will be similar
to what occurred when AARP and UnitedHealth Group announced in
October 2002 that the 97,000 individuals who are covered by a
UnitedHealth drug benefit through AARP would be reimbursed for drugs
they purchased from Canada or other countries.
In July, Emanuel was
part of a bipartisan coalition in the U.S. House of Representatives
that passed a bill that would allow Americans to buy reimported
prescription drugs at the same prices as other countries.
"I am proud to stand
here today with Governor Blagojevich as he takes an important step
toward reducing health care costs for state government employees and
saving money for all Illinois taxpayers," Emanuel said. "States like
Illinois will lead the way to lowering drug costs for taxpayers and
providing lifesaving medications at affordable prices."
[to top of second column in
this article] |
"The bill we passed
in July in the House of Representatives, if it becomes law, will do
much the same to help Americans afford their prescription drugs and
save all taxpayers money," he continued. "It is outrageous that the
same drugs that we pay top dollar for in the United States cost so
much less in Canada and Europe.
In June, Blagojevich
signed legislation that will make prescription drugs more affordable
for Illinois' senior citizens and the disabled by creating a program
that combines the purchasing power of a drug discount club with that
of state agencies that spend nearly $2 billion a year on drugs for
state programs. Illinois' two special advocates, Scott McKibbin and
Ram Kamath, are leveraging the state's buying power to negotiate
lower prices on prescription medications.
The governor has stated that he does
not intend to break any laws that could occur by buying
prescriptions out of the country. He plans to use the information to
negotiate better pricing.
"This is another step
in our ongoing effort to help save the state and the people of
Illinois money on medications," Blagojevich said.
The governor's office expects the
Illinois special advocate report on reimported drugs to be completed
in 90 days.
[Illinois
Government News Network
news release] |
