Bill would provide emergency insulin and lower costs for Minnesotans
WASHINGTON, DC – Today, U.S. Reps. Angie Craig (MN-02) and Dean Phillips (MN-03) introduced H.R. 4010, The Emergency Access to Insulin Act. This bill would increase insulin access for underinsured and uninsured patients, make insulin more affordable, and hold big drug companies accountable for jacking up insulin prices and making other life-saving drugs unaffordable for Minnesota families.
The price of insulin has increased by over 600% in recent years, leading Minnesotans to risk their lives by rationing their supplies. This bill, which is the House companion to U.S. Sen. Tina Smith’s Senate bill, would:
- Provide states with federal grants to set up short-term emergency insulin supplies for uninsured and underinsured patients
- Help patients find long-term affordable insulin options
- Penalize big pharmaceutical companies for excessive price increases
“This is not an issue we have the luxury of waiting on. Minnesotans are dying because of the outrageous cost of insulin and other life-saving prescription drugs,” said Rep. Craig. “This bill provides real, immediate solutions to the skyrocketing cost of insulin, while also looking toward long-term fixes by holding big pharmaceutical companies accountable for their bad faith efforts to profit off the backs of working families. I’m proud to partner with my fellow Minnesotans on this critical effort.”
“Over the past two decades, Minnesotans have suffered from a 600% increase in insulin prices,”said Rep. Phillips. “That’s outrageous. Families should not be held hostage by big pharma’s predatory pricing practices. I’m proud to lead this bill with Congresswoman Craig and continue the fight for affordable and accessible health care. We owe it to everyone in our community who relies on this life-saving drug.”