The Economic Benefit of Funding Insulin Pumps: Reports released in Nova Scotia and New Brunswick
Michael Cloutier with Jay, Catherine and Danielle Cassivi
Provincial reports titled the “Economic Benefit of Funding Insulin Pumps” were separately released in Nova Scotia on November 16 and in New Brunswick on November 18. The results from both of these reports show that switching from daily insulin injections to an insulin pump can reduce complications and improve quality of life for people living with type 1 diabetes.
At an event in Halifax, Association volunteer Jay Cassivi and his daughter Danielle spoke about how the insulin pump changed their lives. “This device has been a life changer for our entire family. Danielle has lost that fear factor that was so prominent when it came to all decisions made around her diabetes. The insulin pump has restored the ‘child’ in Danielle.”
The Nova Scotia report shows that a provincial government investment into a publicly funded insulin pump program could improve health outcomes for Nova Scotians with diabetes and save the province up to $1.4 million by 2032. Volunteers continue to meet with government to advocate for improved access and affordability of diabetes medications, supplies and devices. Currently, Nova Scotia is only one of three provinces that has yet to introduce some form of publicly funded program.