Helping save lives

To the Editor:

Relay for Life is a community-based fundraising event for the American Cancer Society. Each year, more than 5,000 Relay for Life events take place in more than 20 countries.

American Cancer Society would not be successful without one key element: you. Because of our generous donors and volunteers, we’ve been able to help thousands of people with breakthrough research, crucial patient care programs, and education and prevention initiatives. That’s why it’s so important to get involved in Relay for Life, because when you do, you help save lives.

The next meeting is 5:30 p.m. Monday, April 6, in the main meeting room at Mayo Clinic Health System in Fairmont. If you would like to start a team or join a team, come to the meeting, or you can contact Marsha Williams.

March is National Nutrition Month and National Colorectal Cancer Awareness Month. You can help prevent and reduce your risk of cancer by making healthy choices such as eating fruits and vegetables daily and limiting your alcohol intake. Colorectal cancer is the second-leading cause of cancer deaths in the United States among men and women combined, yet it can often be prevented through regular screening. ACS recommends that people at average risk of colorectal cancer start regular screening at age 45.

Marsha Williams

Martin County Relay for Life

Welcome

Insulin bill passes

To the Editor:

The Minnesota Senate this week took swift action to address Minnesota’s insulin affordability crisis by passing the Alec Smith Emergency Insulin Act by a unanimous vote. The legislation, House File 3100, establishes an emergency assistance program for Minnesotans unable to afford the high costs of insulin.

Passage of this bill marks a great day for Minnesotans who depend on insulin every single day. No Minnesotan should ever have to die because they can’t afford their insulin. This bill not only provides assistance for people who are in an emergency situation, but it also provides a path to help people avoid ever reaching a crisis point.

The legislation creates an emergency insulin assistance program to provide access to insulin on an emergency basis, along with a patient assistance program to provide ongoing insulin access for eligible Minnesotans. The emergency program allows eligible individuals to receive up to three months of insulin from their pharmacy. The costs for both programs will be paid for by insulin manufacturers. Minnesotans seeking assistance under this program will be referred to a health plan that will provide them with insulin at little or no cost.

In 2019, legislation was signed into law requiring pharmacies to provide emergency access to insulin and other life-saving drugs if a prescription runs out, allowing pharmacists to fill 30-day supplies of insulin for patients. The Legislature also passed a bill requiring Pharmacy Benefit Managers to communicate available manufacturer rebates and discounts to pharmacies, as well as prohibiting health plans from making a profit on the sale of insulin.

Sen. Julie Rosen,

R-Vernon Center