On Monday, October 28, the Senator Jerry Relph (R-St. Cloud) and Senator Michelle Benson (R-Ham Lake), chair of the Senate Health and Human Services Finance and Policy Committee, will hold a listening session in St. Cloud regarding the high costs of prescription drugs. 

The listening session is open to the public and is an opportunity for constituents to tell their own stories and learn more about two options being considered to give Minnesotans access to more affordable prescription drugs. The listening session will be held at Lake George Municipal Complex in St. Cloud.

WHAT: Listening session on prescription drug costs hosted by Senate Republicans
WHEN: Monday, October 28, 2019 at 4:30 p.m.
WHERE: Lake George Municipal Complex (1101 7th St S, St Cloud, MN 56301)

“People are already going to Canada and Mexico in search of cheaper prescription drugs. We have clearly seen there is a market for these drugs – we’re just going to make sure more Minnesotans can participate,” said Senator Relph. “Minnesota has always been a leader in health care. The listening session will be a chance for constituents to share their own thoughts on the costs of care and hear about the solutions Senate Republicans are proposing to address these issues.”

The federal government has recently offered latitude to states looking to obtain cheaper prescription drugs from Canada. The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services and the U.S. Food and Drug Administration issued guidance for prescription drug reimportation programs, which focused on two possible pathways for states to consider. Florida, Vermont, Colorado, and Maine have already passed importation laws, and numerous other states are looking at proposals or have introduced their own bills.

Senator Jerry Relph represents St. Cloud, Waite Park, St. Augusta, Haven Township, Minden Township, and St. Joseph Township in the Minnesota Senate.