Delving Into Proposals Addressing Insulin Affordability

Minnesota Senate Republican and House DFL lawmakers have yet to reach an agreement on a solution to address insulin affordability and access. The issue came to lawmakers' attention following the death of Alec Smith, a 26 year old man who died in 2017 while rationing his insulin until his next paycheck. On this week's program, moderator Shannon Loehrke delves further into the differing proposals with the Senate and House authors.

The Senate plan, sponsored by Senator Eric Pratt, R-Prior Lake, would provide free insulin up to three years for diabetics who earn less than 400 percent of poverty, which is about $50,000 dollars per year for an individual or $100,000 dollars per year for a family of four. The Senate plan would require pharmaceutical companies to provide insulin free-of-charge to doctors for patients who qualify for the program. The House plan, sponsored by Representative Michael Howard, DFL-Richfield, would create a program that would provide an emergency 90-day supply of insulin, funded through a licensing fee on the drug manufacturers.

Also on the program, Governor Tim Walz urges lawmakers to resolve the differences so he can call a special session before the legislature convenes in February of 2020.