Governor Walz, DFLers Call for Public Hearings on Insulin Affordability (clips)

Saying that a self-imposed 30-day deadline had passed for state legislators to reach an agreement on an insulin affordability plan, Governor Tim Walz called upon leaders to move their private discussions into public hearings in hopes of finalizing a proposal for special session action. Walz spoke to the media Monday, November 18.

"A hearing is very different than a negotiation," Walz said. "A hearing allows us to bring in advocates, to bring in experts, to hear different sides of the story....my concern right now is that we've fallen over these thirty days a little bit into camps again, and it's time to break from that."

Following the governor's press conference, DFL lawmakers--Representative Michael Howard, DFL-Richfield, and Senator Melissa Wiklund, DFL-Bloomington--met with the media to reinforce Walz's call for public meetings. "A public hearing would provide transparency and help us move forward in the most productive manner," said Wiklund. "This can't wait any longer. Together, we can find a solution that includes ideas from the House and the Senate as well as advocates, and that includes DFLers and Republicans alike."

Senator Pratt released a statement, saying "We know this issue is urgent, so I am calling for a meeting this week. We will continue to collaborate with the members of the working group and interested parties."