ST. JOHN'S, N.L. — By Jeff Pelletier
Special to the Telegram
The new Liberal budget is facing a mix of backlash and praise over the changes to the Insulin Pump Program, which some people are accusing of being discriminatory and misleading.
During Tuesday’s budget speech, Finance Minister Tom Osborne announced the government will lift the age cap of the program that covers the costs of insulin pumps and supplies to Type 1 diabetes patients under the age of 25.
With the current program, people with diabetes are eligible recipients of insulin pumps until their 25th birthday, which is when they would be “aged out” of the program. Now, patients who are currently enrolled would keep their coverage when they reach 25.
“This means individuals currently relying on the program are not at risk of losing their current coverage or having to take on a new financial burden,” Osborne said in his budget speech.
Some people who are not enrolled or are no longer eligible for the program are frustrated with the change because it does not benefit people who are currently 25 or older.
Maria Hibbs, a Type 1 diabetic, was covered under the Insulin Pump Program until she turned 25 last week. She is one of several people with diabetes who contacted The Telegram to express disagreement with the announcement.
“Diabetes management does not change once a person turns 25 and I think that the government has grossly missed the mark on this,” Hibbs said.
The government has commented very little on the announcement. In response to a question from Progressive Conservative MHA David Brazil, Health Minister John Haggie said he listened to people’s concerns about the age cap. He then blamed the limitations of the announcement on a lack of funding caused by the Muskrat Falls hydroelectric project.
“Just imagine what I could do for the diabetic people of this province if I had access to a fraction of that money,” Haggie said.
Samantha Hart, 28, was diagnosed with Type 1 diabetes when she was five. At 16, she started using an insulin pump and was covered under the province’s program until she turned 25.
“It’s amazing how much it changed my quality of life as a teenager,” Hart said in an email exchange with The Telegram. “I could eat on the fly with my friends and not have to worry as much about planning my meals and making sure I had my insulin, syringes and other supplies on hand.”
Hart says the government’s decision is good for diabetics under 25 and their families, but not for the rest of the people with Type 1 diabetes. Since being aged out of the program, Hart has been paying for an insulin pump out-of-pocket with the help of her parents, she said.
“It’s blatant age discrimination and it’s unacceptable,” she said. “People like myself can’t be left out just because we’ve aged out of a program that we should still be included in.”
Diabetes Canada released a statement following the budget announcement, offering praise, but also suggesting the government should do more.
“We’re pleased the government is investing in the care and support of those currently enrolled,” said spokesperson Jake Reid. “Our hope is to see the program extended to all people living with diabetes over the age of 25 years old.”
Amanda Kane works for Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation (JDRF) of Newfoundland and Labrador. She is not diabetic, but she advocates for people who have diabetes. Kane said insulin pumps can cost up to $7,000 and need to be replaced once every five years.
Type 1 diabetes is a pre-existing condition, and Kane says that because of this, insurers often do not cover the costs of insulin treatments, and patients must deal with a significant financial burden.
“The harsh and unforgiving realities of this disease cause anxiety and intense financial stress for those trying to manage their health minute to minute, pay bills and raise a family without adequate insurance coverage,” she said.
Kane said the announcement in the budget was a “great step forward” for Type 1 diabetics under 25 years old, but she is also calling on the government to act on the needs of everyone who has Type 1 diabetes.
“If the government wants to take a stand to support the Type 1 diabetes community, the best place to start would be to ensure the Insulin Pump Program is made available to people of all ages,” she said. “We implore the government to recognize the need to support all persons with this coverage throughout this province regardless of age.”
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