Health Minister halts changes to insulin pump therapy program
MEDICINE HAT, AB – -Public outcry has prompted the provincial government to halt plans to discontinue the insulin pump therapy program on August 1.
Approximately 4,000 Albertans currently rely on pumps to deliver life-saving insulin throughout the day. Discontinuing the program would mean those who didn’t qualify as low income would need to find a government-sponsored health benefit plan like Blue Cross if they did not have employer or private insurance.
Since the announcement many with type 1 diabetes have expressed concern about the costs they would be facing.
Diabetes Canada also wrote a letter to the Health Minister calling for Copping to suspend plans to dismantle the program and initiate meaningful consultation with the diabetes community.