Press Releases
Currently showing results related to Health Care
Durbin: Leader McConnell Must End The Senate Legislative Graveyard & Protect Americans With Pre-Exisiting Conditions
WASHINGTON - U.S. Senate Democratic Whip Dick Durbin (D-IL) today called on Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell (R-KY) to end the Senate legislative graveyard and take up bills already passed by the House of Representatives. In a speech on the Senate floor, Durbin highlighted the House-passed Protecting Americans with Pre-Existing Conditions Act, which passed on a bipartisan basis and would prevent President Donald Trump from once again allowing health insurance companies to discriminate … Continue Reading
May 28, 2019
Durbin And Davis Announce Bipartisan Legislation To Address Childhood Trauma, Reduce Violence
CHICAGO - Building off sweeping federal legislation they passed in 2018 to help children exposed to trauma, U.S. Senator Dick Durbin (D-IL) and U.S. Representative Danny Davis (D-IL-07) announced new bipartisan legislation to increase support for children who have been exposed to Adverse Childhood Experiences (ACEs) and trauma, such as witnessing violence, parental addiction, or abuse. The RISE from Trauma Act (Resilience Investment, Support, and Expansion) expands upon a GAO report released … Continue Reading
May 22, 2019
Durbin, Davis Call For Increased Support For Children Traumatized By Violence Following Gao Report Findings
WASHINGTON - U.S. Senator Dick Durbin (D-IL) and U.S. Representative Danny Davis (D-IL-07) today called for increased support, workforce training, and services for children who have experienced trauma after a Government Accountability Office (GAO) study they requested revealed that states face challenges in identifying and supporting children who experience trauma. Next month, Durbin and Davis will introduce bipartisan, bicameral legislation that seeks to address the challenges in today's … Continue Reading
May 21, 2019
Durbin Shares Story Of Good Samaritan In Chicago
WASHINGTON - In a speech on the Senate floor today, U.S. Senator Dick Durbin (D-IL) shared the story of Robert King, a Chicagoan who helped save the lives of two people awaiting organ donation. The Saturday before Easter, King was driving on Lake Shore Drive when he saw a van on the side of the road, and noticed another vehicle had T-boned the van at a stoplight. As other cars passed by, King pulled over and stopped to see if he could help, and he noticed that the man in the van held a … Continue Reading
May 15, 2019
Durbin Gives Pharma Fleece Award To Drug Companies Abusing Patent System
WASHINGTON - U.S. Senator Dick Durbin (D-IL) today on the Senate floor, as part of his new "Pharma Fleece Awards" series of floor speeches highlighting egregious cases of pharmaceutical industry greed, slammed Celgene, Pfizer, and Sanofi for amassing a large number of excessive secondary patents to block generic competition. Many high-cost, brand-name drugs are shielded from competition due to manipulation of the patent system by "evergreening" or filing numerous additional patents to their … Continue Reading
May 15, 2019
Durbin: FDA Commissioner Refuses To Address Youth E-Cigarette Epidemic
WASHINGTON - U.S. Senator Dick Durbin (D-IL) today met with U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) Acting Commissioner Dr. Ned Sharpless to discuss FDA regulation of kid-friendly e-cigarette and cigar flavorings. During the meeting, Durbin urged Sharpless to use his authority as Acting FDA Commissioner to address the public health epidemic of youth use of e-cigarettes, by enforcing the Tobacco Control Act and "deeming rule" and immediately removing kid-friendly flavors from the … Continue Reading
May 13, 2019
Durbin, Grassley, King, Alexander Introduce Legislation To Codify HHS Rule To Require Disclosure Of Prescription Drug Prices In TV Ads
WASHINGTON - U.S. Senators Dick Durbin (D-IL) and Chuck Grassley (R-IA), along with Senators Angus King (I-ME) and Lamar Alexander (R-TN), today introduced bipartisan legislation to codify recent regulations from the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) to require pharmaceutical companies to list prices of their prescription drugs in direct-to-consumer (DTC) advertisements. Today's legislation ensures long-term implementation and clarity of this common-sense price transparency … Continue Reading
May 08, 2019
Durbin: We Must Improve Health Outcomes For New Moms And Babies
WASHINGTON - In a speech on the Senate floor ahead of Mother's Day this Sunday, U.S. Senator Dick Durbin (D-IL) today urged his Senate colleagues to pass the Mothers and Offspring Mortality and Morbidity Awareness (MOMMA) Act, which he introduced in March, along with U.S. Representative Robin Kelly (D-IL-02) and Senator Tammy Duckworth (D-IL). The legislation seeks to reduce America's rising maternal and infant mortality rate, especially for moms and babies of color who are significantly more … Continue Reading
May 08, 2019
Durbin, Grassley Statement On HHS Rule To Require Disclosure Of Prescription Drug Prices In TV Ads
WASHINGTON - U.S. Senators Dick Durbin (D-IL) and Chuck Grassley (R-IA) today issued the following statement following an announcement by the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) on the issuance of final regulations requiring pharmaceutical companies to list prices of their prescription drugs in direct-to-consumer (DTC) advertisements: "Direct-to-consumer prescription drug advertisements are everywhere, and they tell you just about everything imaginable about the drug, other … Continue Reading
May 07, 2019
Durbin Slams Big Pharma On High Cost Of Prescription Drugs In America
WASHINGTON - U.S. Senate Democratic Whip Dick Durbin (D-IL), a member of the Senate Judiciary Committee, today questioned James Stansel, Executive Vice President and General Counsel for Pharmaceutical Research and Manufacturers of America (PhRMA) on the high price of prescription drugs in America. In today's hearing, Durbin slammed PhRMA for the pharmaceutical industry's egregious tactics that leads to dramatic price increases for Americans, including patent manipulation to block generic … Continue Reading
May 01, 2019
Durbin, Duckworth, Senators Introduce Choose Medicare Act To Make Medicare Available To Everyone
WASHINGTON - U.S. Senators Dick Durbin (D-IL) and Tammy Duckworth (D-IL), along with Senators Jeff Merkley (D-OR), Chris Murphy (D-CT), and Dianne Feinstein (D-CA), today introduced the Choose Medicare Act to give every individual who is not already eligible for Medicaid or Medicare the opportunity to enroll in Medicare. The Choose Medicare Act also gives every employer the ability to purchase Medicare for their employees. "This boils down to whether you believe health care is a privilege for … Continue Reading
April 30, 2019
Durbin, Schatz, Young, Romney Introduce Bipartisan Legislation to Raise Smoking, Vaping Age To 21
WASHINGTON - U.S. Senators Dick Durbin (D-IL), Brian Schatz (D-HI), Todd Young (R-IN), and Mitt Romney (R-UT) today introduced the Tobacco to 21 Act, bipartisan legislation that would prohibit the sale of tobacco products, including e-cigarettes, to anyone under the age of 21 nationwide. "With Big Tobacco constantly targeting our youth through new and flavored products, it's no surprise that nearly all tobacco users began their addiction as kids or young adults," said Durbin. "Across Illinois … Continue Reading
April 30, 2019
Durbin, Foster, Underwood Introduce American Cures Act And American Innovation Act
WASHINGTON - U.S. Senator Dick Durbin (D-IL) and U.S. Representatives Bill Foster (D-IL-11) and Lauren Underwood (D-IL-14) today introduced bicameral legislation to restore the United States' commitment to breakthrough scientific and biomedical research. The American Cures Act and the American Innovation Act would create mandatory funds to provide steady, predictable funding for breakthrough research at America's top research agencies, allowing the United States to remain a leader in … Continue Reading
April 22, 2019
Durbin, Duckworth, Garcia Stand Up For Community In Face Of Potential Closure Of Westlake Hospital
CHICAGO - U.S. Senators Dick Durbin (D-IL) and Tammy Duckworth (D-IL) and U.S. Representative Jesús "Chuy" García (D-IL-04) today expressed deep concerns and pressed California-based Pipeline Health on their problematic actions regarding their recently scaled down operations at Westlake Hospital in Melrose Park, Illinois. In a letter to Jim Edwards, Pipeline Health CEO, the members urged Pipeline Health to comply with all state rules and regulations, and to ensure the … Continue Reading
April 11, 2019
Durbin, Cassidy Introduce REMEDY Act To Lower Drug Prices By Curbing Patent Manipulation, Promoting Generic Competition
WASHINGTON - U.S. Senators Dick Durbin (D-IL) and Bill Cassidy, M.D. (R-LA) today introduced a bipartisan bill to tackle the pharmaceutical industry's practice of gaming the patent system to extend monopolies on lifesaving drugs. The Reforming Evergreening and Manipulation that Extends Drug Years (REMEDY) Act, would lower prescription drug prices and promote competition by removing barriers to Food and Drug Administration (FDA) approval for lower-cost generic drugs. Many high-cost, brand-name … Continue Reading
April 11, 2019
Durbin Continues To Push For Increased Medical Research Funding
WASHINGTON - U.S. Senator Dick Durbin (D-IL), a member of the Senate Appropriations Committee, today thanked Dr. Francis Collins, Director of the National Institutes of Health (NIH), for his leadership in working with Congress to secure increased funding for medical research over the past four years. Durbin has worked with Dr. Collins-as well as Labor-HHS Chairman Roy Blunt (R-MO) and Ranking Member Patty Murray (D-WA)-to help provide the NIH with at least five percent real growth each year, … Continue Reading
April 10, 2019
Durbin Questions Jefferey Rosen, President Trump's Deputy AG Nominee
WASHINGTON - U.S. Senate Democratic Whip Dick Durbin (D-IL), a member of the Senate Judiciary Committee, today questioned President Donald Trump's nominee to be Deputy U.S. Attorney General, Jeffrey Rosen - who has no prior Department of Justice (DOJ) experience - about his views on the opioid epidemic and criminal justice reform. Mr. Rosen showed a limited understanding of the DOJ's responsibility when it comes to the production of 13 billion opioid doses a year in America - enough to give … Continue Reading
April 08, 2019
Durbin & Senators To Juul: You Are More Interested In Profits Than Public Health
WASHINGTON - U.S. Senators Dick Durbin (D-IL), along with 10 of his Senate Democratic colleagues, today launched an investigation into JUUL Labs, Inc. by sending a letter to CEO Kevin Burns slamming the company for its partnership with Big Tobacco giant Altria, and questioning its marketing tactics to hook children on nicotine with kid-appealing flavors. The Senators posed an extensive series of questions and made requests for documents pertaining to JUUL's secret business practices around … Continue Reading
April 05, 2019
Durbin Highlights Legislation To Address High Cost Of Child Care For Working Families
CHICAGO - U.S. Senator Dick Durbin (D-IL) today hosted a roundtable discussion with child care providers, parents, and local leaders to discuss the high cost of child care for working families. Durbin has co-sponsored several bills aimed at helping Illinois families manage the increasing costs associated with raising a child. "High-quality, affordable and reliable child care is a necessity for Illinois' working families," Durbin said. "That's why I'm proud to support legislation that … Continue Reading
April 04, 2019
Durbin Hosts Illinois Members & CDC Director For Delegation Luncheon
WASHINGTON - U.S. Senator Dick Durbin (D-IL) today hosted members of the Illinois Congressional Delegation and Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) Director Robert Redfield at an Illinois Congressional Delegation Luncheon to discuss public health issues in Illinois. The group discussed ethylene oxide emissions from medical device sterilization facilities in DuPage and Lake Counties, and veterans' safety at Illinois Veterans Homes. Started by the late U.S. Senator Alan J. Dixon, the … Continue Reading