The political tug-of-war over a statewide insulin assistance program continues at the Minnesota Capitol today (Thurs). House Democrats will move their bill forward, trying to break a stalemate with Senate Republicans — who have a hearing this afternoon (3pm) on a very different plan. On Tuesday, Shari Wiltrout showed lawmakers a month’s worth of insulin for her two daughters, then took bundles of cash out of her bag:
“And this is what one month of insulin costs when you don’t have health insurance. I’m not quite done yet. There’s a little bit more.”
House Democrats want a fee on insulin manufacturers to help pay for the program. Senate Republicans’ plan would have drug makers provide free insulin in emergency situations.