Speaker Hortman's Insulin Survey

A group of Democrats and Republicans from the Minnesota House of Representatives and the Minnesota Senate are working to come up with a plan to provide better access to insulin for Minnesotans. 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. We have come to know the stories and the families of two Minnesotans who passed away in recent years because they couldn’t afford the insulin they needed.

Minnesotans shouldn’t lose their lives because they can’t afford lifesaving medications they need, like insulin. The House DFL remains ready to complete this work as soon as possible, and I would like your input. Please fill out the short survey below. Thank you!

Melissa Hortman
Speaker of the House

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* 1. Contact information

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Address 2

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Email Address *

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* 2. Which approach do you believe should be enacted into law?

House DFL
The House proposal, known as the Alec Smith Emergency Insulin Act, creates an insulin assistance account to provide people an emergency supply of insulin for up to three months. Qualifying individuals would receive insulin via pharmacies. To qualify for assistance, an individual would need to:
1. be a Minnesota resident;
2. have a family income that is equal to or less than 600% of the federal poverty guidelines;
3. be uninsured, have no prescription coverage, or have prescription coverage through an individual or group health plan with an annual out-of-pocket maximum limit for prescription drugs of $3,000 or greater, or have an annual out-of-pocket maximum limit of $5,000 or greater if the health plan does not have a specific out-of-pocket maximum for prescription drugs; and
4. not have participated in the program within the previous 12 months.

When applying, participants would include their income and insurance status information and attest that they are providing accurate information. To pay for the program, the House would charge a registration fee on insulin manufacturers.

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Senate Republicans
In September, Senate Republicans outlined their proposal aimed at insulin affordability. Their plan would have patients get access insulin through their doctors, and would require drug manufacturers to provide insulin to Minnesotans who have a family income less than 400% of the federal poverty guidelines and who are not covered by a public program. The initial supply would be for 120 days, but patients may be eligible for one year. The Senate plan would have patients use MNsure to sign up for the program before meeting with their doctor. The Senate plan is similar to plans already currently offered by drug manufacturers and would not provide any emergency access to insulin. The Senate proposal would assess any new costs related to administering the program to existing Minnesota taxpayers.

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Which approach do you believe should be enacted into law?

The House bill — emergency access to insulin at pharmacies; pharmaceutical companies pay full cost of program

The Senate bill — access to free insulin from 120 days to a year through MNsure and a doctor’s office; pharmaceutical companies pay for insulin, Minnesota taxpayers pay cost of program administration

A combination of both bills — emergency access to insulin at pharmacies and access to free insulin through doctors’ offices for up to a year for qualified patients; blend of cost sharing between pharmaceutical companies and existing Minnesota taxpayers.

Speaker Hortman's Insulin Survey

Question Title

* 1. Contact information

Question Title

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* 3. Do you have any other comments, concerns, or information to share?

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* 4. Do you want to receive email updates from Speaker Hortman?