As insulin affordability is debated in Congress, Minnesota’s safety net law marks two years

Friday marks two years since Gov. Tim Walz signed the Alec Smith Insulin Affordability Act in Minnesota. Insulin is lifesaving for many people with diabetes, and the safety net program helps eligible residents get low-cost supplies.

The law is named for a 26-year-old Richfield man who died in 2017 after rationing his insulin due to high costs. With insulin affordability now being debated in Congress, MPR News guest host Phil Picardi spoke with Alec Smith’s mother, Nicole Smith-Holt, about the law’s impact in Minnesota.

Click the audio player above to hear their conversation.

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