ST PAUL, Minn. — There's a ray of hope for getting an emergency insulin bill passed in a special session, rather than waiting until lawmakers return for their regular 2020 session in February.
Minnesota Gov. Tim Walz met privately Friday with House and Senate authors of competing insulin proposals. The trio emerged to say they've agreed that a compromise can be negotiated in a series of talks, even though an actual House-Senate conference committee can't convene until the legislature is back in session.
"In some ways this is a fresh start for us, to work together on two very different concepts," Sen. Eric Pratt, a Prior Lake Republican, told reporters.
"We're starting with a clean slate. We're going to craft a bipartisan bill that's going to elements of the emergency insulin bill and of the longer-term insulin affordability bill."
The Senate's version relies on drug company donations of supplies to patients who can't afford insulin, who would apply through MNsure and get a four-month supply through a physician. It would be renewable three times.
The House's version would enable diabetics to go directly to their local pharmacist for an immediate 30-day emergency supply, even if their prescription has expired. It would be renewable three times. The state would reimburse pharmacists using funds derived from registration fees paid by the big three manufacturers.
"This is a broad recognition that no one in Minnesota should lose their life because they cannot afford insulin they need to survive," Rep. Michael Howard, a Richfield Democrat, told reporters.
"I am optimistic, but the proof's going to be in the pudding. We have to work urgently and work together, and there is still work to do."
Minnesota Public Radio reports the Democratic governor and lawmakers offered few details, but said there's agreement on trying to reach a compromise that could be passed in a special session.
The meeting came a day after Walz criticized Senate Republicans for what he viewed as inaction. On Friday, Walz was upbeat, saying, "There's no daylight between us on doing what's right for Minnesota."
The House passed an emergency insulin measure last session, but the issue remained unfinished when lawmakers went home.
Republican Sen. Eric Pratt of Prior Lake, chief sponsor of the Senate insulin proposal, says he's hopeful there is now a path to resolve the issue.
In the meantime, Senate Republicans announced a series of five listening sessions on prescription drug prices.
- Burnsville City Hall - October 21 - 2:00 p.m.
- St. Cloud Lake George Complex - October 28 - 4:30 p.m.
- Plymouth City Hall - November 4 - 2:30 p.m.
- Bemidji City Hall - November 5 - 5:30 p.m.
- New Prague - November 20 - Location/time T.B.D.
House Democrats held a series of five listening sessions on insulin during September.
