ARLINGTON HEIGHTS, Ill. – Insurance companies in Illinois will now have to cover epinephrine injectors – commonly known as EpiPens – for children with severe allergies under new legislation recently signed into law and supported by state Rep. Mark Walker, D-Arlington Heights.
“Those with severe allergies, especially families and their children, rely greatly on EpiPens to counteract potentially fatal allergic reactions,” Walker said. “The price of too many of our lifesaving medicines has been skyrocketing. Everyone deserves access to quality, affordable health care, and seeing families being forced to pay hundreds of dollars for EpiPens, insulin or other necessary drugs is simply unacceptable.”
Over the last decade, the price for a pack of two EpiPens has skyrocketed by more than 400%. Without insurance, epinephrine injectors can cost families nearly $700 per pack. Under House Bill 3435, insurance companies must provide coverage for epinephrine injectors for those 18 years of age or under. The law goes into effect starting Jan. 1, 2020.
“I applaud Governor Pritzker for signing this legislation marking Illinois as a leader in access to affordable medication and health care,” Walker said. “Working families shouldn’t have to decide between putting food on the table or ensuring their child has the medicine they need to live. I’m committed to building a stronger Illinois by building a stronger middle class and tackling out-of-control drug prices is an important piece of that mission.”
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