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State Republican lawmakers have a plan to combat high insulin prices, Minnesota State Assistant Majority Leader Sen. John R. Jasinski, R-Fairbault, said in a recent announcement.

"Here's how it works: We will establish a program to provide free insulin for anyone at or below 400 percent of the federal poverty level," the District 24 state senator said in an announcement posted Oct. 24 on the Minnesota Senate Republican Caucus website. "For perspective, this is about $50,000 for a single person and more than $100,000 for a family of four."

The plan, called the Insulin Patient Assistance Program, includes Minnesota's health insurance marketplace MNsure, according to the announcement.

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"Folks who need insulin will apply through MNsure," the announcement said. "After that, MNsure will confirm eligibility within five days and notify the patient. The insulin would then be sent to that patient's doctor to be picked up."

The plan comes on the heels of other state Republican efforts this year to lower the cost of all prescriptions, including insulin, according to the announcement.

"We cracked down on pharmacy middlemen that are responsible for rising prices and required pharmacies to provide emergency access to insulin and other life-saving drugs," the announcement said. "We also passed a law prohibiting anyone from making a profit on insulin."