ILLINOIS (25News Now) – State legislators have re-filed a bill to create a prescription drug affordability board.

The board would have the power to set upper limits on certain drug prices.

The current bill has been referred to committees in both houses of the General Assembly. In the House, it is HB1443 and in the Senate, it is labeled SB0066.

Illinois lawmakers have tried to create a board before, including an attempt last year, where the bill was not passed before the legislative session ended.

“We worked hard last session with every single stakeholder and have drafted a bill that I would say is in its best form,” Rep. Nabeela Syed (D – Palatine), a sponsor of the bill said. “These payment limits will apply throughout the entire supply chain. The cost savings will be passed down to consumers.”

The bill’s sponsors say that the influence of drug companies has prevented them from passing the bill before, and they expect pushback again.

Proponents of the bill want costs controlled so that people don’t have to choose between medication and other necessities. Opponents of prescription drug prices say that price limits can be difficult for small pharmacies to manage.

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