Joseph Sandul is grateful that Manitoba’s latest budget promises to cover expensive diabetes equipment for his 12-year-old daughter.
But the Métis father of two, who has a minimum wage job, has to wonder why the province has proposed limiting this support to people under the age of 25.
“It will help people a lot, like my daughter,” said Sandul, 48. “I just feel sorry for people … what happens to people over 25?”
Manitoba’s 2021-22 provincial budget was released on Wednesday with a pledge to cover continuous glucose monitors (CGMs) and insulin pumps for those under the age of 25.
This followed a push from local advocates like Trevor Kirczenow, who helped start the emergency diabetes support for Manitobans. The impetus that led to the formation of the group was a growing chorus of concerns coming from Manitoba families seeking diabetes medication and equipment in the face of widespread pandemic layoffs.
“This coverage will save lives, it will dramatically improve lives,” said Kirczenow. “We’d like to see this extend to all age groups: there is no medical reason for this 25 year limit.”
Proponents are pushing for change
Members of Manitoban’s Emergency Diabetes Support are pleased that the 2021-22 budget pledges to cover the cost of insulin pumps and continuous glucose monitors. However, you ask why this support only applies to people under the age of 25. (Submitted by Trevor Kirczenow)
The group began organizing in the past few months – in one case asking a number of MLAs to undergo “ancient” fingerprint tests – but in reality the pandemic exacerbated existing financial barriers.
Diabetes Canada recommends that jurisdictions cover the cost of CGMs, which it claims can cost $ 3,000 to $ 6,000 per year. They electronically monitor blood sugar levels and signal the wearer when their insulin levels are low, making them a preferred tool over traditional fingerprint testing.
Trevor Kirczenow is an organizer with emergency diabetes support for Manitobans. (Jeff Stapleton / CBC)
Kirczenow points to studies outside Europe that indicated that CGMs can cut the incidence of life-threatening diabetic emergencies in half compared to fingerprint technology. Their use has also been linked to lower average blood sugar levels, which can reduce complication rates across the board.
Kirczenow said it costs about $ 60,000 a year to treat a person who needs dialysis treatment on a regular basis.
“If we could prevent 20 people from having to be dialyzed, that’s $ 1.2 million,” said Kirczenow, whose child has type 1 diabetes. “There will be tremendous returns on the investments made and it makes sense to do so for all ages.”
No difference for over 25
Colin Mehmel is one of those who was not included in the newly announced coverage. The 37-year-old freelance musician and clarinet teacher is part of the gig economy that has been hit hard due to widespread event cancellations and closings.
“Diabetes is a lifelong disease and it doesn’t change my life or make it better,” said Mehmel of the budget commitment.
Colin Mehmel, right, is a freelance musician and clarinet teacher with type 1 diabetes who relies on a CGM to monitor his blood sugar levels. He pays for it out of his own pocket and is not insured. (Submitted by Colin Mehmel)
Mehmel used to rely on a slightly cheaper device called a flash glucose monitor, which is less precise and occasionally requires fingerprints.
He recently upgraded to a CGM, which is estimated to cost him about $ 3,600 a year, as it reduces the stress of using other methods to keep track of things.
He pays for it out of pocket because he doesn’t have private health insurance.
“What ultimately leads to the system being saved is quite substantial, according to large-scale studies in Europe,” he said.
“It’s not really clear why the government would forego it. There are really a lot of adult diabetics over 25 who are very, very confused.”
Colin Mehmel can monitor his continuous blood glucose reading from his phone. (Colin Mehmel)
Sandul is delighted that his daughter may no longer have to endure the fear-inducing five or six fingerprints a day while she is at school, let alone the savings that his family can benefit from.
It wasn’t long ago that Sandul reached out to Kirczenow and diabetes support groups and asked him to help set up a GoFundMe so he could afford the expensive drugs for his daughter.
“It’s just an amazing thing [CGMs]but so expensive that no one can afford it, “he said.
Until such time as CGM and insulin pump coverage begins, his financial and other concerns will remain.
“How do people work? How do you have diabetes? I just don’t get it.”
