Dear Neighbors,
On Tuesday, the Minnesota House of Representatives approved the Alec Smith Insulin Affordability Act, an emergency insulin program accessible to the Minnesotans who need it most. The landmark legislation is named after Alec Smith, who lost his life because he could not afford his insulin due to the soaring cost being charged by the big drug companies. The legislation ensures that Minnesotans have access to affordable insulin if they face an emergency, with insulin manufacturers participating in the solution.
The credit for this legislation goes to Nicole Smith-Holt and James Holt of Richfield, and the courageous #Insulin4All advocates who never stopped fighting to make this day a reality. It’s thanks to the many Minnesotans who shared their stories and shed light on the unnecessary and painful loss of their loved ones and economic hardship due to the high price of insulin.
I also want to express my gratitude to my colleagues Rep. Michael Howard and Sen. Melissa Wiklund who have championed this issue from the start. I am proud of my colleagues’ work to improve the lives of Minnesotans with diabetes in an extremely significant way.
Click here to watch a video of yesterday’s vote on the bill, which includes Rep. Howard’s introductory and closing remarks.
Sincerely,
Andrew Carlson
State Representative