East Moline Town Hall discusses high prescription costs

Representatives from Citizen Action/Illinois, the Illinois Alliance for Retired Americans, AFSCME Retirees, the Committee to Protect Health Care, the Small Business Advocacy Council and AARP, along with legislators working on healthcare, are hosting a town hall meeting on Thursday, August 15 ^th at 12:30 p.m. at the Richard Shoemaker UAW Hall, 630 19 ^th Street in East Moline. The panel will discuss HB 4472, which creates a Prescription Drug Affordability Board (PDAB).

Senate Sponsor Senator Mike Halpin, House Sponsor Representative Gregg Johnson and Krystle Able with the Illinois Alliance for Retired Americans will be on the panel, moderated by Kevin Barajas with Citizen Action Illinois. The panel will discuss how the high costs of prescriptions have impacted those they serve, the importance of HB 4722, the Prescription Drug Affordability Act and its potential impact on their community. Community members will also be able to share their experiences paying for prescription medication and ask questions.

A survey from Public Policy Polling conducted in May 2024 shows that 77% of respondents are concerned, and 48% are very concerned, with being able to afford prescription medication they or their family members may need in the next few years. Older residents are particularly concerned; 86% of those aged 46 to 65 and 87% of those older than 65 share this concern. Even more concerning, 31% say they have skipped refilling a prescription or not filled one due to the cost, and 26% say they have cut pills in half or skipped a dose of medication to make it last longer.

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