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.

“Today is a great day for Minnesotans who depend on insulin every single day,” said Sen. Julie Rosen (R-Vernon Center). “No Minnesotan should ever have to die because they can’t afford their insulin. This bill not only provides assistance for people who are in an emergency situation, but it also provides a path to help people avoid ever reaching a crisis point.”

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.