Free Pumps...

[KickStart101]

Sorry, I've been busy so I've not been able to read
the posts. So if this is a repeat, please delete.

I just heard on the news that our Gov. (that has paid
for all the Kids' pumps in Ontario who wanted pumps)
will be giving Diabetic Adults free pumps also. I'm not
sure when though. There are about 850,000 Diabetics
in the Province of Ontario. The Gov. is putting 450
million dollars towards Diabetes. Smitherman figures
this way, they won't be visiting the Hospitals as much.

[ctskierguy]

I've always been a believer in socialised medicine.
Here's more proof that it works.

Mike

[JediSkipdogg]

I like the idea but then I don't. I guess I see that as a huge cost to the taxpayers. I love the idea that they are making it easier to get a pump...however...don't you think everyone is going to take up that offer whether they will use it or not?

I guess I see it as if you can get something free in the diabetes world one should take it, hence me having about 15 BG meters. THerefore I see people saying they want a pump, the government giving them a $6000 item, and then them either trying it and not liking it or just not using it to begin with, making it a waste to taxpayers.

[tanyatype1]

I think it's fantastic! I think that most people that try a pump, would prefer it to MDI. I heard that this was for Type 1's - don't know if that's correct or not.

[ctskierguy]

I'm sure the government has cut some kind of huge deal with the manufacturers, thereby cutting the cost dramatically.
Factor in how much will be saved in not having to treat all of the complications, and it's a no brainer.
And the fact that the person getting it is going to live longer and therefore pay taxes for a longer period of time makes me wonder why it isn't being done anywhere else.
That's not to say that everyone will enjoy being on it, and I'm sure that many will drop out of the program. But if even 40% of the people put on a pump kept up with it, the cost savings alone would be in the hundreds of millions.
But hey, it's only my opinion.

Mike

[duck]

Hey Mike, it helps when the economy is booming as well, since socialized medicine ultimately costs someone money. :D

[Dewey]

Hey Mike, it helps when the economy is booming as well, since socialized medicine ultimately costs someone money. :D
So does insurance, or lack thereof (in the US, at least). To me, this is a smart move on Canada's part. It truly shows that the people care about one another, rather than the almighty dollar.

It also shows that the people vest interest in the children's health (& futures). :thumbsup: to Canada for that & for their forward thinking.

On the original topic, I think that children (& adults) with Diabetes in Canada will truly be able to benefit by this. As Mike said, if 40% use the pumps (& use them wisely), this could indeed wind up saving them loads of money in the long run.

[someone]

I like the idea but then I don't. I guess I see that as a huge cost to the taxpayers. I love the idea that they are making it easier to get a pump...however...don't you think everyone is going to take up that offer whether they will use it or not?

I guess I see it as if you can get something free in the diabetes world one should take it, hence me having about 15 BG meters. THerefore I see people saying they want a pump, the government giving them a $6000 item, and then them either trying it and not liking it or just not using it to begin with, making it a waste to taxpayers.

I somewhat agree. Just getting everyone pumps isn't necessarily going to mean less hospital visits either. People that don't care about controlling diabetes on MDI probably won't be much different when they get a pump.

[KickStart101]

Gee Kevin, you amuse me sometimes. It wasn't
long ago we talked in a thread. I had mentioned
about Ontario Kids getting the free pumps. You
said, "Well, why aren't the Adults getting free
pumps"? Well, now they will be and you're still
not Happy. :rolleyes:

Well Duck, Ya we pay taxes and complain but it
doesn't break us. My Friend was dxd. with cancer
Dec/06. She was in Hospital mostly in ICU(except
for 3 weeks when she was better). She went through
many treatments. Unfortunately, she waited too long
to get dxd. She was on Life-Support for a month.
They took her off early this week and she died the next
day. God Bless Her!

That almost year of hosptalization and treatments and
surgeries didn't cost her or her Family a cent out of pocket
or upfront or billed. That's why we are quite Happy with
our system.

Mike and Dewey you are both so correct. :thumbsup:

Ontario is the trial run. If we do Good here, then pumps
will be free to all Kids and Insulin dependant Adults across
Canada.

[duck]

So does insurance, or lack thereof (in the US, at least). To me, this is a smart move on Canada's part. It truly shows that the people care about one another, rather than the almighty dollar.

It also shows that the people vest interest in the children's health (& futures). :thumbsup: to Canada for that & for their forward thinking.

On the original topic, I think that children (& adults) with Diabetes in Canada will truly be able to benefit by this. As Mike said, if 40% use the pumps (& use them wisely), this could indeed wind up saving them loads of money in the long run.

I'm not criticizing, I'm just making a round-about point that Canada is in a very unique situation with their economic fortunes. Something maybe even more unique is how they are handling their boon...actually investing in the people. Wow.