Retiree Notes: Supporting a Prescription Drug Affordability Board
Photo: Members of Sub-chapter 55 donated to the Shawneetown Public Library, a public service near and dear to their chapter.
Supporting a Prescription Drug Affordability Board
Twenty-eight percent of people in Illinois have either rationed or not filled their prescriptions because of high costs. It’s time for that to change.
That’s why AFSCME Retirees Chapter 31 has joined the Illinois Alliance for Retired Americans, the AARP and other allies in the Prescription Drug Affordability Coalition led by Citizen Action/Illinois. The coalition’s goal is to pass a bill in the state legislature to establish a Prescription Drug Affordability Board (PDAB).
While Medicare is now negotiating the payments for certain high-price brand-name prescription drugs—a significant step in the right direction—much work still needs to be done to address the exorbitant costs of so many medications. A PDAB can help to further rein in bad corporate actors who are gouging working people and retirees on prescription drug costs.
A PDAB is an independent body with the authority to evaluate high-cost drugs and set upper payment limits on what state of Illinois residents will pay, similar to existing state practices for utilities and insurance premiums. Upper payment limits apply to the entire supply chain, ensuring that lower costs benefit consumers.
Upper payment limits are not price controls. They set the maximum amount that anyone will pay for a given prescription drug, but do not affect list prices or the ability to offer price concessions per standard business practice. In fact, upper payment limits create greater access to costly drugs and improved ability to finance treatment with those drugs.
Don Todd is president of both the Illinois Alliance for Retired Americans and AFSCME Retiree Sub-chapter 86 in the Springfield area. At a State Capitol news conference on Jan. 18, told a powerful story about Tom and Darlene, two former members of his sub-chapter who struggled to stay on top of mounting prescription drug costs towards the end of their lives.
“In 2018, Darlene was diagnosed with diabetes and other complications,” Todd said. “When we’d lobby, she’d bring out of her purse a small package of macaroni and cheese and say, ‘This is what we can afford to eat, because we can’t afford both medication and food.’
“Darlene died during COVID,” he continued. “Tom died about a month later, I think from a broken heart. So this is why we’re dedicated to getting a Prescription Drug Affordability Board. It affects older people like Darlene and Tom, but also young people, working people, who can’t afford their medication.”
Eight states have already passed such legislation. Retirees will play a big role in the effort to win it here in Illinois.
“It’s an issue that we hear about frequently from our members, and we are ready to educate our lawmakers on how to solve this issue,” said Clyde Wilson, the president of Retiree Sub-chapter 163. “Drugs don’t work if people can’t afford them.”
New commissioner of Social Security Administration
After a two-and-a-half year wait, the Social Security Administration finally has a new commissioner. In December, former Maryland Governor Martin O’Malley was confirmed by the Senate by a 50-11 vote.
“It’s never been more important that we have strong permanent leadership at the Social Security Administration,” AFSCME President Lee Saunders said. “The challenges are big, and the stakes are high. As huge numbers of Baby Boomers continue to become Social Security-eligible in the coming years, we need someone who will protect and expand this program.”
During his confirmation hearing, O’Malley said Social Security faces a customer service crisis. He promised to focus on employee morale and improving the agency’s response time.
Need home heating assistance?
When the temperature drops, heating bills rise. But for Illinois seniors struggling to make their payments, financial assistance is available. The annual enrollment period for the Low-Income Home Energy Assistance Program runs through August 15, 2024, or until funding is exhausted. In addition, eligible water and sewer customers facing disconnection may also apply for the Low-Income Household Water Assistance Program.
For more information about income eligibility and how to apply, visit the Illinois Department of Commerce & Economic Opportunity’s website at DCEO.Illinois.Gov/CommunityServices or by calling the Illinois Families call center at 1-833-711-0374.