St. Paul, Minnesota — Today, DFL legislators continued to push for action on legislation to address insulin affordability and announced their support for public hearings. Today marks the 30-day deadline proposed by Senate Majority Leader Gazelka.
“We need to approach the crisis of insulin affordability as if the lives of Minnesotans hang in balance – because that is true,” said state Representative Michael Howard. “Every day, Minnesotans with diabetes are in a fight for their lives because they can’t afford the insulin they need to survive. There is a path forward. There’s no reason why we can’t get this done. We agree with Governor Walz that public hearings are necessary, and DFLers are working to move the discussion forward.”
Last Friday, DFL legislators presented a compromise framework to the Senate. The framework aims to take the best ideas from each proposal and meet the goals of ensuring Minnesotans have access to insulin, both for emergencies and over the long-term, that the program is paid for by the pharmaceutical industry, and that it can be set up quickly.
“We need the voices of Minnesotans back in this process,” added Rep. Howard. “It’s time to be clear, in public, about where we stand. If the Senate has concerns with our approach, let’s work through them and have that discussion, but let’s do it earnestly because the clock is ticking.”