NAPERVILLE – State Senator Laura Ellman (D-Naperville) joined State Senator Andy Manar (D-Bunker Hill) and diabetes health advocates in Naperville on Thursday to call for a law to cap the skyrocketing cost of insulin.

“For those with diabetes, prescription insulin isn’t optional,” Ellman said. “Drawing a line to ensure that this medication is affordable for those who need it is the right thing to do.”

Senate Bill 667, introduced by Manar, would cap out of pocket insulin expenses at $100 for a 30-day supply.

“Absurd insulin costs are making it nearly impossible for some individuals to afford the life-saving medication they need,” Manar said. “It’s time we take a stand on this issue and finally bring some relief for people who are being forced to being forced to pay exorbitant prices just to stay alive.”

According to the American Diabetes Association, there are over 30 million Americans who have diabetes, 7.4 million of which require prescription insulin every day to survive. However, the increasing costs associated with the medication have led many patients to ration their supply or seek care outside of the country.

The legislation would make Illinois just the second state in the country to cap out-of-pocket insulin expenses. Colorado became the first to do so earlier this year.

The measure has also garnered the support of several advocacy organizations, including the American Diabetes Association, Illinois Alliance for Retired Americans, Illinois State Medical Society, Illinois Pharmacists Association and AARP.

"Today and every day, it’s important to reflect on Dr. Martin Luther King Jr’s work and the significance of the Civil Rights Movement. We should think about how far America has come since that time, but how far we still have to go.

"During the fight for civil rights, many people told Dr. King and his allies that they were moving too fast, demanding too much. They were told that change would come but that they should be quiet and wait their turn.

"Too often we ignore the message because we dislike the medium. We write off someone’s experiences with racism, discredit their experience, because we disagree with their method of speaking their truth. We must do better. We need to listen when people speak out about racism and injustice. We need to personally reflect on our biases and really think about what's being said. And we need to stand together and demand justice and equality for all."