Dear Neighbors,
Time is flying at the Capitol. Here are a few updates from this week:
Working to Make Prescription Drugs More Affordable and Accessible
Across the country, Americans are facing a prescription drug pricing crisis. Nearly one in four adults in the U.S. struggle to afford their prescription drugs, forcing patients to make impossible choices. According to a recent report, 30 percent of Minnesotans say they have not taken their medicine as prescribed due to costs, or have reported skipping doses, cutting pills in half, substituting with over-the-counter drugs, or not filling a prescription in the past year. |
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This week in the Health and Human Services committee that I serve on, we heard powerful testimony about some of the efforts to fix this problem. One particularly heartbreaking story that sticks with me every day is the story of Alec Smith, a 26-year-old Minnesotan who could not afford his insulin and died when he rationed his life-sustaining medication. Following Alec’s death in 2017, his parents Nicole and James courageously began telling their story to reporters, policymakers, and grassroots organizations in hopes of preventing the same tragedy from happening to anyone else.
Nicole and James are inspiring me and my colleagues to act. Never again should anyone die because they cannot afford the insulin they need to survive. That’s why I am supporting a bill named in Alec’s honor to make insulin accessible to anyone who needs it in an emergency. It’s the right thing to do and it will save lives.
This is why I support House DFLers’ new comprehensive plan to make prescription drugs more affordable and accessible by holding pharmaceutical companies accountable and putting more power in the hands of Minnesotans who are struggling with the skyrocketing cost of needed medications. A fact sheet with more information about the plan is available here.
Minnesota Values Budget
This week my colleagues in the House announced a framework for the Minnesota Values Budget. This budget reflects an investment in better roads, better education, and expanded healthcare for all Minnesotans. |
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Stay tuned for more specifics over the coming weeks. MPR covered the story here.
Supporting Animals
At the end of last week, we had one of the best days at the Capitol— Puppy Day! As a lover and owner of animals, and spouse of a veterinarian, I appreciate the value animals bring to our home and families. Thank you to Animal Humane Society for organizing this event! If you are interested in animal-related legislation, you can follow HF 916, HF 1530, HF 1053, and HF 2024 on the House website.
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Keep in Touch
Please contact me any time with questions, concerns or input. I appreciate hearing from you!
Sincerely,
Robert Bierman
State Representative |
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