(Quebec) Diabetics who came to the National Assembly on Wednesday to demand reimbursement for insulin pumps said they were disappointed by Health Minister Christian Dubé’s response.
Published yesterday at 9:56 p.m.
Caroline Plante The Canadian Press
“We expected that the minister would be open to this possibility, but he told us very vaguely that it was not the government’s priority,” lamented the president of the Association québécoise des type 1 diabetics, Sophie St-Pierre .
PHOTO JACQUES BOISSINOT, THE CANADIAN PRESS
Quebec Health Minister Christian Dubé
“Incidentally, one thing that diabetes associations have been told for years is that diabetes is not one of the government’s priorities. It might be time to give some space to these diabetics who can make a big contribution to society,” she added.
Currently, purchasing a pump and its accessories represents costs of approximately $6,000 to $10,000, such as: B. argues.
He recalled that only minors can request a refund; If you need a pump for the first time after the age of 18, the cost will not be covered by the Régie de l’assurance santé du Québec (RAMQ).
However, in its report published in 2022, the National Institute of Excellence in Health and Social Services (INESSS) recommended extending coverage to all adults.
PHOTO EDOUARD PLANTE-FRÉCHETTE, LA PRESS
Quebec Solidaire MPs Vincent Marissa and Étienne Grandmont
It is a form of injustice that has been denounced for a very, very long time. I was not very convinced by the minister’s answer, who told us: “Yes, yes, of course, shortly”. In short, this is an expression that I have heard very often.
Vincent Marissal, health spokesperson for Québec Solidaire (QS).
Earlier in the day, during question time, Mr. Dubé assured that he was working on the file while explaining that extending coverage would require “excessively large sums.”
About 60,000 Quebecers have type 1 diabetes and rely on daily insulin injections or an insulin pump, a portable device that can inject insulin directly into the body without the need to use a syringe.
Since the pump works in continuous operation, it is possible to control unstable diabetes, reduce the number of episodes of hypoglycemia and make meal times and the organization of daily activities more flexible, we can read on the website of the Ministry of Health.
“It is important to also respect the ability of Quebecers to pay. We spend more than 50 billion on health, Madam President. At the moment it is certain that we have requests everywhere,” said the minister.
His press secretary later clarified that, according to INESSS, the demand from diabetics represented an expenditure of 328.8 million for the government over a five-year period. “We are currently working on different scenarios to obtain more precise amounts,” said Antoine De La Durantaye.
One thing is for sure: “This disease is serious, it is difficult to control, and now we have the technology that allows us to do that, so I would not understand why children under 18 should have this disease.” Tax rights and not adults. “Payer,” responded Ms. St-Pierre.
For his part, a spokesman for the Quebec Association of Type 1 Diabetics, Pascal Lemieux, pointed out that several other provinces already offer universal access to insulin pumps.
“Insulin is such a dangerous drug […] To inject insulin into a patient, two signatures are required. And we’re asking the patient to manage this at home when we have technology that can prevent risks? “, He was surprised.
According to Mr. Lemieux, the insulin pump is an essential tool for improving the health of type 1 diabetics and reducing significant healthcare costs associated with possible complications of the disease.