217 Today: Although a drug discount program aims to help low-income patients, its misuse creates controversy

Thursday, July 21, 2022

Today’s headlines:

• Three Republicans from the Illinois Congressional Delegation voted against a measure to codify same-sex and interracial marriages.
• Highland Park Mayor Nancy Rotering said it’s time for a nationwide ban on assault-style weapons.
• The University of Illinois leads the largest health study of box turtles in the world.
• The Champaign County Fair kicks off tomorrow morning, starting with a horse show from the 4-H youth development program.

In today’s deep dive, we’ll hear how a little-known drug discount program is critical to helping hospitals care for uninsured patients, but it’s been the center of controversy for years.

217 Today is produced by Sydney Wood. Reporting today contributed by Eric Stock, Alex Degman, Harrison Malkin, Sydney Wood and Dan Gorenstein.