Minnesotans with diabetes who can’t afford their insulin can now get an emergency 30-day supply from their pharmacy for no more than 35 dollars. After many months of negotiations, Republicans and Democrats agreed in April on compromise legislation named after Alec Smith — who died because he couldn’t afford insulin. His mother, Nicole Smith-Holt said when Governor Tim Walz signed the bill into law, “I truly believe that Alec was watching and working some magic to make this happen. I often think of him as a sacrificial lamb in this situation. I think of him giving his life so that others could benefit.”
Insulin manufacturers must also maintain an ongoing long-term assistance program for qualifying people, or face multi-million-dollar fines.