SAINT PAUL – Today, the Minnesota House Health and Human Services Finance Division held a public hearing at the State Capitol to discuss the Alec Smith Emergency Insulin Act and other solutions to address the skyrocketing cost of insulin and other prescription drugs. The price of insulin has tripled in the last decade, and studies indicate that 1 in 4 diabetics have resorted to rationing their insulin due to the high cost.
Local legislators Rep. Jen Schultz (DFL – Duluth) and Rep. Liz Olson (DFL – Duluth) both serve on the panel and participated in the hearing.
“Everyone deserves to be able to afford the medications they need to survive, but the rapidly-rising cost of insulin and other prescription drugs pose considerable barriers for many Minnesotans,” said Rep. Schultz. “It’s unconscionable that some people with diabetes are forced to ration their insulin, which we know can have tragic consequences. It’s time for us to come together and pass the Alec Smith Act and take other action to reduce drug prices.”
“The amount Minnesotans with diabetes are expected to pay for insulin, a drug they need simply to survive, is outrageous,” Rep. Olson said. “This is yet another example of Big Pharma continuing to profit while people face life-threatening situations. Today’s hearing allowed us to review good input Minnesotans have given us on this issue, which highlights the urgency of passing the Alec Smith Act.”
This past legislative session, the Minnesota House approved the Alec Smith Emergency Insulin Act to establish an emergency supply of insulin for diabetics who are unable to pay for prescription refills. The measure is named for a Richfield resident who tragically died after being forced to ration his insulin. However, the measure stalled in the Senate. Since the legislative session adjourned, a bipartisan group of lawmakers have been meeting to develop the framework of an emergency insulin access program.
The committee heard testimony from two Insulin4All advocates: Nicole Smith-Holt – Alec’s mother – and Cindy Scherer Boyd, whose son Jesimya Scherer-Radcliff died in July after rationing insulin.
Minnesota Attorney General Keith Ellison updated the committee on his Advisory Task Force on Lowering Pharmaceutical Drug Prices. Officials representing four Minnesota health plans – HealthPartners, UCare, Blue Cross and Blue Shield and Medica – also provided testimony on their insulin co-pays for 2020.
Video of the hearing is available courtesy of House Public Information Services.