St. Paul, MN - A recent report from the Minnesota Board of Pharmacy showed that more than 1,100 Minnesotans used the Minnesota Insulin Safety Net Program in 2021, providing access to over $6 million worth of insulin and more than doubling its usage from the previous year. The program, which provides both emergency access to and long-term assistance with insulin, was established in 2020 when the Minnesota Legislature passed the Alec Smith Insulin Affordability Act.
State Representative Michael Howard (DFL - Richfield), the House author of the Alec Smith Insulin Affordability Act, released the following statement:
“Alec’s law continues to save lives, and the increased number of Minnesotans utilizing this safety net underscores that our work isn't finished. The high cost of insulin - and other life-saving medications - is still a major stressor for those with diabetes and other chronic conditions. Minnesota’s insulin safety net is keeping people alive, but more action needs to be taken to ensure other critical medications, such as inhalers and epipens, are affordable and accessible to those who need them.”
Rep. Howard is also the House author of a current piece of legislation to cap copays on prescriptions for life-saving medications, which was highlighted in this morning’s House DFL press conference on reducing costs for Minnesotans.
More information on today’s Insulin Safety Net news can be found here.
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