Write to the Federal Government!

Last updated: 2 December 2001

Insulin pumps are very expensive to run!accommodation in Nurnberg Most pump supplies are not covered under the National Diabetes Service Scheme (NDSS) or by private health insurers (see Insurance Coverage). However, the Federal Minister for Health and Ageing is currently considering coverage of pump supplies under the NDSS.

Although some pumps are rebateable under health insurance, the latest insulin pump models are not approved for consumer use in Australia and are not rebateable. Coverage of insulin pumps is currently under review by the Federal Department of Health and Aged Care (FDHAC). There is no certainty that the existing pump models will continue to be covered after the review is completed.

Update on Pump Lobbying:

Thank you to everyone who has written letters to the Federal Minister for Health and Ageing and their local Members of Parliament in the last few months, asking about making insulin pumps more accessible and affordable. Most of us have received what seems to be an indentically-worded stock standard reply letter from the Department of Health and Aged Care. (Click here to see it). The general drift of the letter is that the government is already spending lots of money on diabetes, and that the government is currently considering a submission from MiniMed for NDSS coverage for MiniMed pump consumables.

However, we've had one reply that was more exciting - a letter from the Treasurer, the Hon. Peter Costello MP, stating that the Federal Government is considering MiniMed's submission for NDSS coverage for MiniMed pump consumables and that a decision will be made before the end of 2001.

While this is certainly great news, please keep writing letters!

Since the November election, we now have a new Minister for Health and Ageing (Senator Kay Patterson) and a new Shadow Minister for Health and Ageing (the Hon. Stephen Smith). We need to educate them about these issues and ask for their support in making pump supplies more affordable by extending NDSS coverage, and in continuing the insurance coverage of insulin pumps. The contact details for the new Minister and Shadow Minister are listed on the lobby contacts page. So, let's get writing!

What Can You Do? Write A Letter!

We're asking you to write letters and emails to:

• the Federal Minister for Health and Ageing, Kay Patterson
• other Federal politicians, Department of Health officials and Diabetes organizations
• members of the Expert Committee who are reviewing pump coverage.

Here are contact details for all of these people. Most have email addresses.Depending on how enthusiastic you are feeling, you might like to send a letter to some or all of these folks!The more letters the better!

In your letter, we suggest that you outline whatdifferences an insulin pump has made, or would make, to your life, and politely request that:

1. insurance coverage continue to be given to insulin pumps; and
2. pump supplies be included as subsidized items under the NDSS.
   

1. At least 14 randomised controlled trials have compared continuous infusion (pumps) with intensified injection regimes and a meta-analysis of these studies showed that glycaemic control is slightly but significantly better during insulin pump therapy, with a glycated haemoglobin about 0.5% lower (British Medical Journal 2001; 322: 1262-1263 (26 May)).
2. The majority of the economic burden of diabetes (estimated to exceed $1 billion per year in Australia) is attributable to the treatment of complications: heart disease, kidney disease, vision impairment and amputation. The Diabetes Control and Complications Trial (DCCT) in 1993 proved that diabetic complications could be dramatically reduced through any decrease in the glycated haemoglobin levels: reducing the risk for development of retinopathy by 76%, kidney damage by 39%, kidney failure by 54% and nerve damage by 60%.
3. If you have been using an insulin pump, outline what you have experienced following commencement of pump therapy eg. improved glycaemic control, improved quality of life, improved well being.If you're not currently using a pump, but would like to, you might want to mention what medical and lifestyle benefits that you think you would get from using a pump.
4. You could mention if you feel it is incongruous that the Federal Government have encouraged people to join private health funds when at the same time products such as pumps are being targeted for removal from the compulsory Schedule 5 list and consumables are not subsidised at all.

Please send us a copy of your letter by emailhotel search Eger countryor by snail mail to Kate Gilbert.

Thank you for your contribution to this effort! Together we can make a difference!