Walz, Repubs to try again this week to break stalemate over insulin assistance program

Governor Tim Walz and Republicans try again this week to reach a deal on an insulin assistance program as a reconstituted working group is expected to begin meeting. The governor says,”The idea here is to get to a point where they can get a compromise, we can call a special session and we can get it done.” But Walz acknowledges it won’t be easy. The sticking-point is whether insulin manufacturers should help fund the program. Democrats’ bill would charge them a fee. Republicans’ plan would have drug makers provide free insulin to those who can’t afford it — but G-O-P lawmakers point out the pharmaceutical industry doesn’t like that proposal either.