Happenings!

Well i know i've been slack with updating my blog, and for that my apologies!

We've recently had a change in Federal Government here in Australia, which poses a few issues. The previous Howard government promised $22million towards increasing access and reducing the outlay prices of insulin pumps (which here, un-covered by insurance, cost around $US10'000) each. The obvious strain on families and/or the person with diabetes is significant, on top of the ongoing costs of insulin and consumables (even though they are funded by PBS and the NDSS respectively).

The ongoing argument remains: does a government pour money into subsidising insulin pumps, which some people say would be a luxury healthcare item? I beg to differ to those arguing the no, which is the case taken up by so many governments over the world.

You see, without an insulin pump, a type-1 diabetic can only go so far without feeling like a pin-cushion. A basic basal/bolus regime using insulin pens (or syringes) will cause the person with diabetes to be injecting up to 8 times a day to have proper, controlled care. Even then, the variations in BGL's can still be extreme, causing a higher overall HBA1c, and putting the person with diabetes at a much higher risk of future complications.

But this point is overseen by governments and private healthcare insurance providers. They fail to realise that a person with diabetes can not have 'perfect' care on insulin pens/syringes alone, despite how effective the insulins may be.

The subsiding of insulin pumps is an investment, quite plainly. Insulin pumps make it easier for people with diabetes to take better care of themselves, reducing the risk of further complications. Now what does this do? This helps reduce the risk that in the future, governments will be paying for the kidney dialysis, the post-op amputation care and rehab, the constant heart monitoring and eye checks, and possible eye/laser surgery.

Unfortunately, governments, cabinets and ministers/secretaries alike fail to realise that spending now prevents larger spending in the future.
This effect is further compounded by the double-whammy effect of having a diabetes pandemic - with more and more people with diabetes, this will lead to more and more people with diabetic complications; causing further strain on Medicare and similar systems.

So the solution remains clear; Invest now to prevent imminent social and financial hardship, not only for people with diabetes and their families, but for healthcare and Medicare-related systems.