A bill pending in the Illinois General Assembly that seeks to expand access to a federal discount drug program could end up costing Illinois employers millions of dollars a year.
Capitol News Illinois reports the program, known as 340-B, provides discounted drugs to hospitals and clinics that treat large volumes of Medicaid patients.
A memo from the Illinois Department of Central Management Services estimates that passing the bill would raise costs on employer-based health insurance plans in Illinois by 89 million dollars a year.
That includes 12.4 million dollars in additional costs for the State of Illinois Group Insurance Program.
Supporters of the bill say it would benefit community healthcare centers and rural hospitals.