Minnesota families are finding their budgets stretched thin due to the rising cost of prescription drugs. Senate Republicans have heard the outcry and have planned a series of listening sessions around the state with Health and Human Services Chair Michelle Benson (R-Ham Lake) about the issue. The meetings will offer constituents an opportunity to tell their own stories, as well as learn more about two options being considered that would grant Minnesotans access to more affordable prescription drugs.

The first of the five listening sessions will take place on October 21 in Burnsville, with stops planned in Plymouth, Bemidji, St. Cloud, and New Prague.

“People are already going to Canada and Mexico in search of cheaper prescription drugs,” said Benson. “We have clearly seen there is a market for these drugs; we’re just going to make sure more Minnesotans can participate. It boils down to this: Minnesotans are going to get fairer prices without giving up the choices they have.”

“Minnesota has always been a leader in health care, and Senate Republicans will continue to propose real solutions to reduce the cost of prescription drugs and maintain the quality of our health care system for our families,” added Benson.

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.

The full schedule of listening sessions is as follows:

Burnsville
October 21, 2019
Burnsville City Hall
2:00 p.m.

St. Cloud
October 28, 2019
Lake George Municipal Complex
4:30 p.m.

Plymouth
November 4, 2019
Plymouth City Hall
2:30 p.m.

Bemidji
November 5, 2019
Bemidji City Hall
5:30 p.m.

New Prague
November 20, 2019
New Prague City Hall Council Chambers
2:00 p.m.