SASKATOON — Molly Morris has been living with Type 1 diabetes since she was seven years old, a condition that she learned to manage for more than a decade. Now 22 years old and a student, she could have coverage for diabetes supplies costs, like insulin pumps, that normally expire at age 18.
However, Saskatchewan Party Leader Scott Moe announced on Wednesday, Oct. 9, that if they return to form a government, extending the coverage to young adults like Morris would benefit about 700 patients ages 18 to 25, and extending it to seniors over the age of 65 would benefit another 9,000.
"For 15 years, diabetes has fully changed my life. I say, the day that I was diagnosed, my brain chemistry was immediately altered. There hasn't been a second that has gone by that I haven't thought about my blood sugar and having a continuous glucose monitor that I have right now. I've had it for 10 years. It has made me feel safe,” Morris told reporters after Moe’s announcement at their Sutherland campaign headquarters.
“To know that it can be covered, I'm in that range where I'm a student, so I'm above 18, about to be 25. That coverage will be amazing for me and all Type 1 and 2 diabetics across the province. So, I want to say thank you for making this possible. It truly has changed my life, and I don't remember life without diabetes.”
Deb Davies, one of the seniors who would also benefit from the coverage extension, added that the program would make a huge difference and that it shows the government cares for the health and well-being of all seniors.
“Listening to Molly's story is heartbreaking, yet we need to celebrate it. So, thank you for this announcement, and I really appreciate the support for seniors,” Davies added.
Morris said she uses a Dexcom G6 glucose monitor brand that costs $200 each and changes it every 10 days. She added that the price of the glucose monitor depends on the brand you are using, and the planned coverage extension is significant to all people with diabetes as patients like her have other needs.
“Having this covered, like dextrose tablets, dextrose drinks, things for low blood sugars, and being able to use that money is another life-saving thing, and it's nice,” said Morris.
Moe said the program would cost about $20 million. It is part of the Saskatchewan Party’s fully-costed platform package, which they will release in the coming days.
Moe said expanding the program would make glucose monitors available to more patients who have diabetes longer.
NDP: Why only now?
NDP Leader Carla Beck, however, questioned Moe’s announcement close to the election, as the Saskatchewan Party could have done this in the 17 years in government.
“I understand that Mr. Moe put out a press release saying on the eve of an election, he's going to have a plan for glucose monitoring. This is something that people need. I hear from seniors, and I hear from people all the time that they're choosing to have their medication or not to be tested as often as they should because they can't afford the testing,” said Beck.
“This is a good thing. I think what Mr. Moe has to account for and explain to the Saskatchewan people is why he stalled in signing on to the federal pharma care plan that would have covered these supplies, diabetes supplies, and contraception. Why did he wait until the eve of an election to deliver basic health care to people? Again, people are tired of this.”
Beck also criticized the Saskatchewan Party, which has been in power for 17 years, for doling out “trinkets” to people with just three weeks left before the election, adding the people of the province deserve better.
“I'm glad you know that it's a good idea to have those supplies covered for people [with diabetes]. It will help people. This is something he could have done, should have done earlier. This and so many, so many other issues,” Beck said.
In a separate statement, the NDP said the national pharmacare plan would have significantly improved the lives of people in Saskatchewan with diabetes. The plan would have covered the cost of supplies, like syringes and glucose testing trips, for diabetes patients who need medication and monitoring their condition.
The NDP said if they were allowed to form a government after Oct. 28, they would support the national pharmacare plan and not put politics over the patient’s needs, as the program would address critical healthcare needs.
