Speaker Demuth Faces Scrutiny Over Insulin Vote Claims
Minnesota House Speaker Lisa Demuth is being questioned after claiming she voted to cap insulin costs.
Updated on Oct. 16, 2026 in Diabetes
Live Poll
Should the government mandate monthly caps on the cost of insulin for patients?
Minnesota House Speaker Lisa Demuth claimed on recent election questionnaires that she voted to cap insulin prices. Records show she previously voted against co-pay caps in 2023 and cost-sharing limits in 2019.
Why it matters
The accuracy of these claims is under fire as voters weigh her record against her current campaign statements regarding prescription drug affordability. Her voting history contrasts with the comprehensive monthly co-pay caps that only became law after Democrats secured full control of the state government.
In 2020, Minnesota passed the Alec Smith Insulin Affordability Act, which provides a 30-day emergency insulin supply for $35. This program followed the 2017 death of 26-year-old Alec Smith, who died after rationing insulin that cost $1,300 monthly.
The players
Lisa Demuth
Lisa Demuth serves as the Speaker of the Minnesota House of Representatives.
Alec Smith
Alec Smith was a 26-year-old who died in 2017 after being unable to afford the cost of insulin.
Ben Golnik
Ben Golnik is a political advisor to the campaign of Lisa Demuth and a lobbyist for the pharmaceutical company Novo Nordisk.
The details
While Demuth voted for the 2020 Alec Smith Insulin Affordability Act, that legislation did not include a monthly co-pay cap. The bill was a compromise between the then-Republican-controlled Senate and the Democrat-controlled House that involved negotiations with pharmaceutical firms including Eli Lilly, Sanofi, and Novo Nordisk.
Timeline
Alec Smith died in 2017 while rationing insulin.
Demuth voted against insulin cost-sharing limits in 2019.
The Alec Smith Insulin Affordability Act passed in 2020.
Demuth voted against prescription drug co-pay caps in 2023.
Demuth claimed she voted for insulin caps on questionnaires in October 2026.
Health Landscape
The debate over state-level insulin legislation reflects the broader push for affordability seen in the federal $35 monthly co-pay cap established by the Inflation Reduction Act of 2022. These local legislative battles continue to shape how patients access vital medication.
The distinction between emergency-only insulin access and monthly co-pay caps directly impacts the out-of-pocket costs for residents managing diabetes. Understanding these legislative differences helps patients evaluate the practical protections currently available under Minnesota law.
The takeaway
Voters should review specific legislative voting records to confirm claims regarding healthcare affordability. Comparing official records against campaign statements provides the most accurate picture of a candidate's stance on critical health issues.
Further reading
For more information on state health policies, visit the Minnesota Diabetes section.
Live Poll
Should the government mandate monthly caps on the cost of insulin for patients?
