Today Senate Republicans passed legislation to assist diabetics with the high cost of insulin through a safety net program for both emergencies and long-term assistance. The bill passed with unanimous, bipartisan support in the Senate and is expected to be signed by Governor Walz.
“All Minnesotans will benefit from the passage of this ambitious bill designed to protect those who cannot access insulin,” said Senator Scott Jensen (R- Chaska), chief author of the bill. “Today is a new day in Minnesota for diabetics and this legislation will serve as a springboard for more creative legislative ideas regarding other expensive, life-sustaining medications. I want to extend thanks to Minnesotans across the state and all the advocates for their commitment to getting this important bill done,” he concluded.
The bill requires insulin manufacturers to provide a 30-day supply of insulin for free to individuals in urgent need but struggling to afford the life-saving drug. Additionally, patient assistance programs through drug companies, which have been questioned as too onerous and cumbersome with limited qualifications, must be made accessible and transparent with their application and approval process. An application for assistance is based on standardized requirements and must be approved or denied within ten days.
“I am proud to see the Senate finally pass this legislation with bipartisan support. This is about making sure no more Minnesotans die because they cannot afford their lifesaving insulin,” said Senator Eric Pratt (R- Prior Lake), a co-author of the bill. “I have heard from so many people whose lives have affected by this issue. People living with diabetes cannot produce insulin naturally, so their lives literally depend on having a reliable supply of the drug.”
Majority Leader Paul Gazelka (R- East Gull Lake) agreed, saying, “Providing this safety net for diabetics is something we all agreed needed to get done. This bill will keep people healthy and it will save lives. At the end of the day it’s not about who gets credit, it’s about taking care of people and providing for their needs. Just as we promised, we got it done.”
An important provision of the bill includes notifying young adults when they are going to lose insurance coverage by aging out of their parents’ plan. This notification will encourage individuals to enroll in insurance coverage through their employer, apply for state or federal health insurance assistance, and determine if they qualify for additional assistance through drug manufacturers.
Another co-author, Senator Jim Abeler (R-Anoka) said, “Passage of this life saving legislation is a tribute to the collaborative process. Now no Minnesotan will ever have to die from lack of insulin.”
In 2019, Senate Republicans instituted reforms to address the cost and emergency needs of insulin and other life-saving drugs. Pharmacies are obligated to provide a 30-day supply if a prescription runs out and the patient needs a refill before they can see their doctor for a renewal. Legislation in 2019 also stopped health plans from charging patients more than the wholesale cost of insulin to prevent profiteering off the drug and required Pharmacy Benefit Managers to regularly communicate discounts and rebates with the pharmacy for the patient to use first.
“Health care and prescription drug costs can make people’s lives unaffordable. We’ve been providing leadership and innovation not just for diabetics, but for every Minnesotan that needs life-saving care and medications,” said Senator Michelle Benson (R-Ham Lake), Chair of the Senate Health and Human Services Committee. “Health care policy is extremely complex and there aren’t always easy solutions. This is an example of working together to find common ground for the betterment of Minnesotans.”
The Senate is leading the fight to reduce the costs of health care and prescription drugs with innovation. In 2017, Minnesotans had limited options, fewer providers, and double-digit cost increases in the health insurance market. The Minnesota Reinsurance plan stabilized the costs, opened up more options, especially for rural communities, and has become a model program for other states. In 2020, the Senate began exploring reimportation programs that would allow Minnesotans access to lower-cost drugs available in other nations. The federal government for the first time ever announced an openness to approving reimportation plans in individual states last December.
Watch the Press Conference before the vote here.