Letter: Oppose prescription drug cost hikes

The nearly 20 years since I first opened Kate Ronan Upholstery have been full of ups and downs. That comes with the territory of owning a small business - it's not for the faint of heart.

Amid rising inflation, it's become even more challenging for me, and many other small business owners, to keep our doors open.

That's why I was so surprised to learn that this legislative session, lawmakers in Springfield considered two bills that would have raised the cost of prescription drugs while also restricting the pharmacy benefits that families and small businesses owners count on to keep health care affordable. Small businesses are hurting enough as it is.

These misguided bills would unfairly target the pharmacy benefits employers depend on to keep costs down but do nothing to address the big drug companies that, for years, have been making record profits off the backs of hardworking families and businesses.

The vast majority of Illinoisans - small business owners included - feel strongly that health care should be affordable. A recent poll showed that 68% of voters would rather pick up a less expensive prescription at an eligible pharmacy than a more expensive one at any pharmacy. Across the board, health care costs matter to Illinoisans.

I'm calling on our lawmakers to support us by opposing any measure that would increase the cost of prescription drugs and health care coverage.

Kate Ronan

Oak Park