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Legislative News and Views - Rep. Paul Marquart (DFL)

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New information about insulin affordability legislation, flood insurance

Monday, March 2, 2020

 Dear Neighbors,

For too many families in our community, paying for prescription drugs has gotten harder and harder as pharmaceutical companies drive up costs. This is especially problematic for our senior citizens living on fixed incomes. 

The skyrocketing cost of prescription drugs are forcing Minnesotans to make impossible decisions: Do I pay for groceries, or my medication? One of the most prominent examples is insulin, a drug that diabetics need to stay alive the same way you and I need water and air.

A vial of insulin costs between $2.28 and $3.42 to manufacture, but big drug companies charge as high as $500. In the last ten years, insulin manufacturers have tripled the price of this life-sustaining drug while raking in record profits. In the past year alone, the three pharmaceutical companies that control 90 percent of the market brought in $18.5 billion in profits. 

Minnesotans have called, emailed, written letters, and met with their elected officials to ask for help. In response to Minnesotans’ heartbreaking personal stories, I proudly voted last week in support of legislation to assure that pharmaceutical companies help provide the cost of providing access to emergency insulin.

Legislation approved by the House last week would create a critical safety net to provide access to insulin in an emergency and make it more affordable in the long-term. We fund this program by charging a modest fee on big drug companies to require them to participate in the solution. 

You can read more about the insulin bill here.

Flood Insurance Information

Lastly, I’d like to share a message from the Minnesota Department of Commerce about the high risk for significant flooding in our area this upcoming spring runoff season. Click here to download a fact sheet with information about who is eligible for flood insurance, who needs it, and the costs associated with it. 

If you have a personal story, idea, or question related to business at the State Capitol, please get in touch. You can find my full contact information online at www.house.mn/04B. I enjoy reading your e-mails and letters and encourage you to send an e-mail or write me at 597 State Office Building, St. Paul, MN 55155. Or, you can feel free to call me with a question or comment at 1-800-551-5520. If you have a friend, neighbor, or relative who wants to receive updates about the Legislature, let them know they can subscribe to my email list here

Thank you for the honor of serving as your state representative. I’ll be in touch soon with my thoughts on what a new state economic forecast released Feb. 27 means for the remainder of the legislative session. 

 

Sincerely,

Paul Marquart