Member for Grey Rowan Ramsey has enthusiastically welcomed the $100 million announcement on diabetes support that will extend free continuous glucose monitoring (CGM) devices to pregnant women, concession card holders with high clinical needs, and young people with conditions similar to diabetes.
This announcement comes on top of the Liberal/National Federal Government in April last year that delivered free CGM devices to type 1 suffers under the age of 21.
“This demonstrates the strong commitment our government has to health and I thank Health Minister Greg Hunt for his commitment to the diabetes community,” he said.
“It has been outstanding, but is only possible because of the Government’s terrific performance on the economy enabling us to increase services to needy Australians.
“I am hopeful that in the future continuing good management will enable us to extend the service to all Type 1 sufferers.”
The changes will benefit individuals in the Grey electorate by up to $7,000 a year which will also make another instant monitoring device, ‘FreeStyle Libre’, available to the same groups.
Mr Ramsey said he was particularly pleased with the recognition of the very small group with diabetes like diseases which were not diagnosed as type1.
“I was approached by a young Port Pirie couple whose 4 week old daughter was diagnosed with neo-natal diabetes. During an extended stay in hospital she was temporarily allocated a CGM which enabled her to go home and her parents to effectively manage her health,” Mr Ramsey said.
“However, while the monitor is essential to any kind of reasonable lifestyle, she did not qualify under the previous rules. After bringing Baylee’s case to the Minister I am pleased he has now included this category to receive the free devices.
“Through my position as Chair of the Parliamentary Friends of Diabetes I have met many people who will benefit from this announcement and I understand how this will help families in the future manage this life altering disease,” Mr Ramsey said. “I participated in a walk for diabetes at Wallaroo last week and was told the story of how the free monitor has recently saved the life of a young lad at Mallala.
“In the life of the Coalition Government we have delivered $35m to clinical trials seeking a cure for diabetes, the now expanded CGM program, the launch of Preserve Sight Program and committed $6m to developing a diabetes education and support program in schools to help students and parents manage their education. I am very proud of our work in this area.”
“But the work is not over, 1.3m people in Australia are diagnosed and living with diabetes, an estimated five hundred thousand are yet to be diagnosed. It is the leading cause of coronary heart disease, blindness and amputation.
“Only with economic success can we address these problems and I and the government remain committed to this outcome.”
27 November 2018
Media Contact: Leonie Lloyd-Smith 02 6277 4967
