NURS 6050
Week 8 Assignment: Minnesota Insulin Safety Net Program
Walden University
NURS 6050: Policy and Advocacy for Improving Population Health
Introduction
Nurses play a vital role in policy development at every level (Milstead & Short, 2019).
According to Milstead and Short (2019), nurses make up the largest group of healthcare workers.
They often act as advocates for patients at the bedside, as well as in policy reform. Their
experiences provide them with insight into areas in need of change. Their ability to collaborate
with several disciplines makes them a valuable asset for policy design and implementation.
According to Herkert et al. (2019), insulin prices have been quickly increasing in the last
decade, despite it being recognized on the Model List of Essential Medicines by the World
Health Organization. With high out-of-pocket costs, diabetics have a higher chance of
noncompliance to their insulin regimen. The findings of the study reported that over 25% of
participants report insulin underuse due to cost-related issues. These patients also reported
having poor blood sugar control due to their underuse. The state of Minnesota has developed the
Insulin Safety Net Program to help count the cost-related issues revolving around insulin.
Tell us about a healthcare program, within your practice.
According to the Minnesota State Senate (2020), the Insulin Safety Net Program is
enacted in April of 2020. This grants individuals access to 30 days’ worth of insulin in an
urgent need or assistance and resources for an ongoing insulin supply. Individuals must meet
certain requirements to obtain an urgent supply of insulin. The criteria are as follows: must be a
Minnesota resident, not enrolled in MinnesotaCare, not enrolled in prescription drug coverage
that limits the cost of insulin to $75 for 30 days, and must be in urgent need of insulin.
Individuals may only receive an urgent supply once a year but are still eligible to use the services
offered for an ongoing supply. This 30-day supply will cost the consumer $35.
, What are the costs and projected outcomes of this program?
I was not able to find the expenses to the state. However, according to the Minnesota
Board of Pharmacy (n.d.), the pharmacy that dispenses the insulin under the Insulin Safety Net
Program will be reimbursed by the manufacturer to cover the acquisition cost. The bill requires
manufacturers who make more than $2 million of gross revenue per year to establish procedures
to make this program possible in Minnesota. Those who make less than $2 million annually are
exempt from this program. Again, I was unable to find more information about who reimburses
the manufacturers for these insulin costs. If there is no reimbursement to manufacturers, this
could be a policy design issue (Milstead & Short, 2019). Financial concerns may cause
manufacturers to push back against the program.
The outcomes of this program are to provide low-income individuals with lifesaving
medication (Minnesota Board of Pharmacy, n.d.). This effort is to reduce the underuse of insulin
in patients who are rationing the drug due to high costs. The underuse of insulin can lead to
uncontrolled blood glucose, which can lead to numerous poor outcomes for diabetics.
Who is your target population?
According to the Minnesota State Senate (2020), the target population is insulin-
dependent diabetics with low incomes. The bill requires each manufacturer to make assistance
programs available to individuals who have a family income that is less than 400% of the federal
poverty line. These individuals are not eligible for these programs if they receive health care
through a federally funded program, such as the Veterans Affairs. The Minnesota Board of
Pharmacy (n.d.) also states that these individuals must have less than a 7-day supply of insulin
and potential negative health consequences of not receiving the medication.
What is your role as an advocate for your target population for this healthcare program?
Do you have input into design decisions? How else do you impact design?
Week 8 Assignment: Minnesota Insulin Safety Net Program
Walden University
NURS 6050: Policy and Advocacy for Improving Population Health
Introduction
Nurses play a vital role in policy development at every level (Milstead & Short, 2019).
According to Milstead and Short (2019), nurses make up the largest group of healthcare workers.
They often act as advocates for patients at the bedside, as well as in policy reform. Their
experiences provide them with insight into areas in need of change. Their ability to collaborate
with several disciplines makes them a valuable asset for policy design and implementation.
According to Herkert et al. (2019), insulin prices have been quickly increasing in the last
decade, despite it being recognized on the Model List of Essential Medicines by the World
Health Organization. With high out-of-pocket costs, diabetics have a higher chance of
noncompliance to their insulin regimen. The findings of the study reported that over 25% of
participants report insulin underuse due to cost-related issues. These patients also reported
having poor blood sugar control due to their underuse. The state of Minnesota has developed the
Insulin Safety Net Program to help count the cost-related issues revolving around insulin.
Tell us about a healthcare program, within your practice.
According to the Minnesota State Senate (2020), the Insulin Safety Net Program is
enacted in April of 2020. This grants individuals access to 30 days’ worth of insulin in an
urgent need or assistance and resources for an ongoing insulin supply. Individuals must meet
certain requirements to obtain an urgent supply of insulin. The criteria are as follows: must be a
Minnesota resident, not enrolled in MinnesotaCare, not enrolled in prescription drug coverage
that limits the cost of insulin to $75 for 30 days, and must be in urgent need of insulin.
Individuals may only receive an urgent supply once a year but are still eligible to use the services
offered for an ongoing supply. This 30-day supply will cost the consumer $35.
, What are the costs and projected outcomes of this program?
I was not able to find the expenses to the state. However, according to the Minnesota
Board of Pharmacy (n.d.), the pharmacy that dispenses the insulin under the Insulin Safety Net
Program will be reimbursed by the manufacturer to cover the acquisition cost. The bill requires
manufacturers who make more than $2 million of gross revenue per year to establish procedures
to make this program possible in Minnesota. Those who make less than $2 million annually are
exempt from this program. Again, I was unable to find more information about who reimburses
the manufacturers for these insulin costs. If there is no reimbursement to manufacturers, this
could be a policy design issue (Milstead & Short, 2019). Financial concerns may cause
manufacturers to push back against the program.
The outcomes of this program are to provide low-income individuals with lifesaving
medication (Minnesota Board of Pharmacy, n.d.). This effort is to reduce the underuse of insulin
in patients who are rationing the drug due to high costs. The underuse of insulin can lead to
uncontrolled blood glucose, which can lead to numerous poor outcomes for diabetics.
Who is your target population?
According to the Minnesota State Senate (2020), the target population is insulin-
dependent diabetics with low incomes. The bill requires each manufacturer to make assistance
programs available to individuals who have a family income that is less than 400% of the federal
poverty line. These individuals are not eligible for these programs if they receive health care
through a federally funded program, such as the Veterans Affairs. The Minnesota Board of
Pharmacy (n.d.) also states that these individuals must have less than a 7-day supply of insulin
and potential negative health consequences of not receiving the medication.
What is your role as an advocate for your target population for this healthcare program?
Do you have input into design decisions? How else do you impact design?
