Children to get 80% insulin pump subsidy

Insulin pumps should now be affordable for most children with diabetes who need them, with the Federal government saying it will subsidise up to 80% of their cost. The Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation (JDRF) says a new $5.5 million government program should fund around 100-150 pumps per year for children whose families do not have private health cover. “Children with type 1 diabetes face a huge strain juggling the management diabetes with the demands of daily life,” says the JDRF chief executive, Mr Mike Wilson. With pumps costing up to $8000, the scheme will chip in $6400 for families earning up to $64,240, gradually reducing down to $500 or 10% of the pump’s cost for families earning $101,045. Currently 1200 people in Australia commence insulin pump therapy each year, according to a 2008 government-commissioned study. However, a previous $2500 pump subsidy scheme had few takers, which critics said was because it went only a short way to meeting the cost of the pump and they remained unaffordable for many families. More information on applications can be obtained here....