NW Twin Cities

On Jan. 30, Republican senators proposed adding an emergency provision to their insulin program, after working with advocates and a working group.

“No one in Minnesota should fall through the cracks when it comes to insulin. Throughout this process we have been listening to families in need of insulin. Adding this emergency provision and including seniors on Medicare is a result of that dialogue,” said Sen. Eric Pratt (R-Prior Lake), the author of the Insulin Patient Assistance Program. “This new emergency program makes our original plan much stronger. I’m optimistic that with these changes, we can continue to work with anyone that has a desire to help diabetics in the upcoming session,” he said. 

The original plan proposed by Senate Republicans gives Minnesota residents who cannot afford the high cost of insulin access to the drug, by getting it from their doctors. The new plan allows eligible residents to obtain a 30-day supply of emergency insulin and makes a second 30-day supply available if needed. The plan aims to connect patients to options that can help them afford their medication in the long term.

“This comprehensive approach to insulin coverage addressing both emergency and long-term needs should find consensus and we plan to bring it to the Senate floor during the 2020 legislative session,” said Senate Majority Leader Paul Gazelka (R-Nisswa). “We look forward to working with House Democrats, Gov. (Tim) Walz or anyone else who truly wants to be a problem-solver to get this done.”