The Minnesota Senate today took swift action to address Minnesota’s insulin affordability crisis by passing the Alec Smith Emergency Insulin Act by a bipartisan vote. The legislation, House File 3100, establishes an emergency assistance program for Minnesotans unable to afford the high costs of insulin.

“The Insulin Patient Assistance Program is designed to catch people before they reach a crisis point,” said Sen. John Jasinski (R-Faribault). “But we also recognize that sometimes emergencies happen, so our plan provides help for people who are in a crisis. Our plan is fast and effective. Our plan delivers insulin to those who need it without growing government. Our plan makes the pharmaceutical companies foot the bill for the medicine. And most importantly, our plan focuses on protecting patients and making sure nobody else ever again dies because they can’t afford their medicine.”

The legislation creates an emergency insulin assistance program to provide access to insulin on an emergency basis, along with a patient assistance program to provide ongoing insulin access for eligible Minnesotans. The emergency program allows eligible individuals to receive up to three months of insulin from their pharmacy. The costs for both programs will be paid for by insulin manufacturers. Minnesotans seeking assistance under this program will be referred to a health plan that would provide them with insulin at little or no cost.

In 2019, legislation was signed into law requiring pharmacies to provide emergency access to insulin and other lifesaving drugs if a prescription runs out, allowing pharmacists to fill 30-day supplies of insulin for patients. The legislature also passed a bill requiring Pharmacy Benefit Managers to communicate available manufacturer rebates and discounts to pharmacies, as well as prohibiting health plans for making a profit on the sale of insulin.