On Thursday, the Minnesota Senate passed the Alec Smith Emergency Insulin Act by a bipartisan vote. The bill, House File 3100, establishes an emergency assistance program for Minnesotans unable to afford the high costs of insulin.

“By working with Minnesotans who struggle with high insulin costs every day, providers, and the industry, we have developed solutions that give Minnesotans affordable access to the drugs they need,” said Senator Rich Draheim (R-Madison Lake). “Legislation, like the bill passed today, will have an immediate impact on the market and will allow us to address long-term affordability of the drug and ensure that no Minnesotan fall through the cracks.”

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.

The legislation awaits action by a conference committee between the Senate and the House to work out differences in the bills passed by each body.