Lawmakers close to insulin deal

ST. PAUL (AP) — Minnesota lawmakers appeared close to a deal Wednesday on creating a long-waited emergency insulin program for diabetics who can’t afford the drug.

A House-Senate conference committee was scheduled to meet Wednesday to finalize the details. If lawmakers agree on the final language, the Legislature could pass the bill as early as Tuesday next week.

Under the draft agreement, diabetics who are within seven days of running out of insulin and unable to afford out-of-pocket prescription costs of $75 or more could obtain a 30-day supply at a pharmacy for a $35 copay. Insulin manufacturers would provide reimbursements or replace stockpiles that pharmacies distribute as part of the program.

In addition to the emergency access program, the bill mandates that manufacturers provide longer-term assistance to patients who meet certain qualifications.

The deal follows months of public and private talks between Democratic and Republican legislators in the two chambers.

Guard activated for flooding

ST. PAUL (AP) — Gov. Tim Walz has activated the Minnesota National Guard to help communities deal with spring flooding.

Large areas of Minnesota have been under significant threat of flooding during the spring snow melt with a number of counties declaring local emergencies and activating emergency operations plans, according to the governor’s office.

One of the first assignments is in Marshall County and the community of Oslo where guard members will monitor dikes and flood protection systems and support possible evacuation and rescue operations.

Iowa virus cases climb to 1,145

DES MOINES (AP) — Iowa public health officials said Wednesday that 97 more Iowans tested positive for coronavirus infection, increasing the state total to 1,145.

One person died in Linn County, where the highest number of cases are reported. The virus has now claimed 27 lives in the state and infections have now been found in 79 of Iowa’s 99 counties.

The data also shows increase hospitalization in recent days with 122 people now in hospitals, up 17 percent from the day before.

Iowa Department of Public Health Deputy Director Sarah Reisetter said the increase is due to changes in how the state gathers the information. She said Iowa’s hospitalization rate of 10% is lower than national trends of 15% to 20%.