New Video Helps Minnesotans With Insulin

(KNSI) – A new video produced by MNsure tells the story of a mother who lost her son because of the high cost of insulin.

In the video, titled “The Alec Smith Story”, Nichole Smith-Holt urges Minnesotans struggling to afford insulin to sign up for the Minnesota Insulin Safety Net program. Her son Alec dies in 2017 at the age of 26 from ketoacidosis after rationing his insulin to make it last longer.

The Minnesota legislature passed the Alec Smith Insulin Affordability Act in 2020. The program has two parts – the urgent need program for individuals who need a 30-day supply of insulin immediately at their pharmacy for no more than a $35 copay, and the continuing need program for Minnesotans to receive up to a year’s supply at no more than a $50 copay per 90-day supply refill.

MNSure says that since the program started, hundreds of Minnesotans have signed up to receive discounts on their insulin.

The video was produced by MNsure, the state’s health insurance marketplace, as part of its efforts to create public awareness about the program and to encourage eligible Minnesotans to register.

For more information on the program, click here.

To view the video, click here.

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