by Senator Carla Nelson (R-Rochester)

Originally published in the Rochester Post Bulletin

Whether it be at the grocery store or my office in St. Paul, in nearly every discussion I have with Olmsted County residents, the rising cost of health care is always a focus. And, as you have most likely experienced, rising costs are not limited to the price of insurance premiums. In fact, one of the most rapidly increasing health care costs is the price of prescription medications. From insulin to EpiPens, individuals consistently find themselves struggling to cover the costs of essential pharmaceuticals. Recent news reports have detailed stories of Minnesotans self-rationing their insulin medication, against doctor recommendations, because of their inability to afford the drug. This extremely dangerous practice will often worsen their condition and can even lead to death. Obviously, we desperately need pharmaceutical reform in Minnesota.

Recently, I joined my Minnesota Senate colleagues in passing the bipartisan Minnesota Pharmacy Benefit Manager Licensure and Regulation Act. One of the largest reforms to the pharmaceutical industry in decades, this bill targets lowering the cost of prescription medication through addressing Pharmacy Benefit Managers (PBMs), who are middlemen that negotiate drug prices between the manufacturers, health plans, and pharmacies. Often, these corporations negotiate contracts that can have negative consequences, such as preventing pharmacists from informing patients that their out-of-pocket costs for prescriptions would be less if they paid cash, as opposed to using their health card. This legislation reforms their practices through increased transparency and accountability, with the overall goal of reducing the cost of pharmaceuticals for every Minnesotan. While the bill unanimously passed the Senate, the Minnesota House of Representatives has unfortunately not yet acted on the legislation.

Further, I have chief-authored a series of patient-friendly bills that aim to lower the cost of healthcare and prescription drugs. SF 495 establishes a prescription drug program to allow  importation of  discounted prescription medication from Canadian pharmacies to Minnesota. The bill would allow the State of Minnesota to negotiate prices with Canadian pharmacies, enter into multistate agreements to jointly negotiate lower drug costs, and establish a website for Minnesotans to purchase these lower cost pharmaceuticals. Another bill I chief-authored, SF 2211, adds patient protections in using mail-order pharmacies, ensuring prescription are filled in a timely manner so that individuals are not left without essential medications due to a delay in order processing. I also chief-authored, SF 1006, bipartisan legislation that guarantees patients will not have their prescription drugs dropped from their health plans during the term of their coverage. Lastly, I chief-authored SF 1235, a bipartisan bill that requires the costs of all doctor visits to count towards an individual’s deductible, even if the physician is out-of-network. This would allow Minnesotans to choose their doctor, even if out of network, without raising their out-of-pocket costs.

Lowering the cost of healthcare and pharmaceuticals will not be accomplished through a single solution. However, through a comprehensive approach, that includes working across the aisle, we can tackle multiple cost drivers in health care.

If you, a family member, or a neighbor are struggling with the costs of prescription medication, including insulin, please reach out to my office directly. There are a number of short-term solutions Minnesotans can take advantage of to lower their prescription costs. My phone number is 612-296-4848, my email is sen.carla.nelson@senate.mn, and my address is 95 University Ave W., Rm. 3235, St. Paul, MN 55155.

It is an honor to work for you in the Minnesota Senate.  As always, please reach out to me with any concerns or suggestions or if you need assistance with any state government agency.

Sen. Carla Nelson represents Chatfield, Dover, Eyota, Rochester, Stewartville and 14 of Olmsted County’s 18 townships. She is in her third term in the Minnesota Senate. Sen. Nelson is a former teacher and current chair of the Senate Education Committee. She also serves on the Health Finance and Policy Committee, Capital Investment Committee, and the Senate Finance Committee.