32-year-old Paul Kuspira hopes his voice will catch the Saskatchewan government’s attention when advocating for more insulin pump coverage.
Kuspira, who works in a warehouse in Saskatoon, is able to do his job without having to worry about doing manual insulin injections thanks to his pump.
But his device is now 7 years old and they are supposed to be switched every 5 years, which would require him to pay 7 thousand dollars, or more, that he doesn’t have.
He says he can’t perform his duties the same way if he has to manage a lifestyle without a pump; that would mean carrying multiple needles and having multiple injections every day.
Insulin pumps are covered in Saskatchewan until age 25, but the Sask NDP are calling on the government to completely eliminate the cutoff.
Health Minister Jim Reiter says the age used to be 18 in Saskatchewan, but they increased the age to 25 a few years ago.
Alberta, BC, Ontario and the territories are the jurisdictions that offer full support for Type 1 diabetes supplies for both youth and adults.
Reiter says they will consider looking at a similar program strategy when it’s budget time.
[ckrm nov 26 2019]