Letter: Editorial misrepresented intent of insulin video

By Jeremy Munson

State Representative

The Austin Daily Herald’s reprinting of a poorly researched editorial by the Mankato Free Press criticizing my insulin video is an unwarranted attempt to stifle the much needed discussion at the Capitol on insulin pricing and government’s push to nationally socialize medicine. People are dying by rationing their expensive insulin. It is important to discuss all possible solutions and not disregarded an idea experts agree can be part of a life-saving solution.

WCCO interviewed Marcus Arneson, a pharmaceutical expert with Allina Health, quoted as saying, “Insulins that are available over the counter are still viable treatment options for patients.”

The Star Tribune confirmed with Matt Petersen, Vice President of the American Diabetes Association, “It is far better to use the older insulins with care than it is to either withhold or even to reduce the analog insulin.”

An extensive study by Yale Medicine, published in the Journal of the American Medical Association, confirms Type II diabetics using the expensive analog insulin did not have substantially better outcomes, safety, or blood sugar control.  Dr. Lipska, at Yale School of Medicine said, “This suggests that many people with type 2 diabetes should consider starting with NPH (Walmart) insulin, instead of insulin analogs, especially if cost is an issue for them.”   The CDC states 90-95 percent of all diabetics are type 2.

Yet, the Legislature is only focused on taxpayers bearing the full costs of all insulin.  This is fiscally irresponsible and a slippery slope most of us do not want.  My video attempted to further the discussion by showing there are other solutions and suggesting a one size fits all government takeover of insulin payments is the wrong direction.

The larger story here is how lobbyists and special interest groups from across the country are using St. Paul, the nation’s sole divided legislature, as a proving ground for national socialized healthcare legislation.  They are using Minnesota’s emergency insulin legislation as their vehicle bill and applying enormous pressure to stop any discussion not forwarding their agenda.

An endocrinologist with 35 years’ experience exclusively treating diabetics and who has testified in front of Congress regarding treatment, submitted testimony to the Minnesota House Health & Human Services Committee, stressing the effectiveness of the Walmart insulins developed in the 1980s. However, his testimony was not even allowed to be referenced in committee without democrat-socialists personally attacking him and refusing further discussion.

The Alec Smith Emergency Insulin Act was originally written to help a small subset of uninsured people who couldn’t qualify for State insurance. The original bill required a $25 per-vial co-pay and limited access to 90 days.  The bill would cost $10.4 million annually.

After introducing the original bill, the private market responded: Eli Lilly introduced a half-priced ‘generic’ version of its insulin; Sanofi also cut its insulin price in half, and four MN health insurance companies dropped their co-pays for insulin to $25 or Zero.  In a January 2019 Reuters report, Sanofi told Reuters about 85 percent of people who manage diabetes with its insulin products pay less than $50 a month. Novo Nordisk said a majority of people who manage diabetes with its insulin products also pay less than $50 a month.

The insulin legislation we heard in committee last week changed to provide free insulin to families earning less than $154,000 per year (600 percent of the federal poverty level), and now includes those who have insurance if their deductible or total out of pocket costs exceeds $3,000.  Thanks to Obamacare, almost EVERY private policy has a deductible over $3k.  Furthermore, employers currently offering lower deductibles will be incentivized to increase deductibles to $3,000 to push their insulin costs onto State taxpayers. This policy is fiscally irresponsible, encourages big pharma to increase costs, and will raise insurance prices for everyone.

The hashtag #Insulin4All, if successful, can be substituted with #EpiPens4all, #inhalers4all, #chemotherapy4all, #triplebypass4all, or any other important medicine or treatment. This will set the precedent for #Medicare4all. Once socialism has its foot in the door, nationwide socialism will roll across our Republic. With it will come a reduced standard of care, less access, fewer options, higher costs and taxes, and no incentive for drug manufacturers to improve or invest in medical innovations.

Contrary to the Mankato Free Press Editorial, my position is not oversimplified. We as policy makers need to put all options on the table and hold honest discussions addressing our concerns, rather than implying government can solve and pay for every problem.


For your information

www.ncsl.org/research/about-state-legislatures/partisan-composition.aspx

https://minnesota.cbslocal.com/2019/09/24/gop-state-rep-jeremy-munson-criticized-for-facebook-post-about-cheap-insulin/

www.reuters.com/article/us-sanofi-fr-insulin/sanofi-to-cut-us-insulin-costs-for-some-patients-to-99-per-month-idUSKCN1RM0Y3

Yale study finds NPH insulin adequate for type 2 diabetes

https://jamanetwork.com/journals/jama/fullarticle/2685850

www.reuters.com/article/us-usa-healthcare-diabetes-cost/u-s-insulin-costs-per-patient-nearly-doubled-from-2012-to-2016-study-idUSKCN1PG136

www.cdc.gov/diabetes/basics/type2.html

www.revisor.mn.gov/bills/bill.php?b=House&f=HF0485&ssn=0&y=2019

 

SportsPlus

Mower County

Call for Volunteers: Salvation Army looking for extra help for busy holiday season

News

Trump wins the White House in a political comeback rooted in appeals to frustrated voters

Education

In Your Community: Money donated in Grandma Shirley’s name

Mower County

In Your Community: Duplicate Bridge

Mower County

In Your Community: Mower County Senior Center

Mower County

In Your Community: Fourth Holiday Bing-Oh! prize claimed

News

The US election was largely trouble-free, but a flood of misinformation raises future concerns

News

Jury convicts man of killing girlfriend and hiding her body in rural Minnesota

Mower County

Tom Robbins to be new executive director of Austin Area Arts

Mower County

Institute scientist and team’s database work featured in science communication publication

Business

Hy-Vee celebrates 25 Years of its Veterans Day Breakfast

Mower County

I-90 Austin detour planned Nov. 15-18 for Fourth Street bridge demolition

Business

Hormel named a Best for Vets Employer for 12th year in a row

Mower County

Technical issue from Tuesday night’s election results in slight ballot count changes

News

2024 Election Rundown

Mower County

Patricia Mueller retains District 23B seat

Mower County

Zielke wins special election to round out Green’s school board seat

Mower County

Incumbents hold seats for Mayor, City Council; Waller returns to council in Ward 2

Mower County

Glynn earns fourth term on County Board, Mueller a second term

News

Trump wins the White House in political comeback rooted in appeals to frustrated voters

Mower County

Technical issues causing delay in upload of Mower voter tallies

News

Democrat Amy Klobuchar of Minnesota wins 4th Senate term, defeating GOP ex-NBA player Royce White

News

AP Race Call: Republican Brad Finstad wins reelection to U.S. House in Minnesota’s 1st Congressional District

Mower County

Author to present winter legends and history at Austin Public Library