SPRINGFIELD, Ill. (WCIA) – People suffering from asthma or COPD might rely on an inhaler to help them breathe or to control their symptoms.
“These [inhalers] help open their airways and help them breathe and oftentimes can help them survive, stay alive,” Kristina Hamilton, the Illinois advocacy director for the American Lung Association, said.
According to the American Lung Association, more than 1.4 million people in Illinois suffer from a lung disease.
Those life saving drugs come with a cost. Inhalers can range from $180 to $300 a month, even with insurance in some cases. Some people need multiple and the bills can add up quickly, keeping people away from the medicine they need most.
“Without these inhalers, they will have difficulty breathing and can, unfortunately, sometimes die or become hospitalized because of their difficulty breathing,” Hamilton said. “It is critical that people have consistent access to prescription inhaler medications and that they are affordable.”
A bill in the Capitol is looking to make a change and give people financial relief. Under the proposal, the cost of an inhaler would be capped at $25 for a month’s supply. For people buying more than one, the price would be limited to $50.