Diabetes is at epidemic levels. Increasingly those diagnosed with Type II diabetes are being prescribed insulin, as are all those with Type I diabetes. In order to maintain proper control of this potentially deadly condition, people with diabetes need to check their blood sugar levels regularly. Indeed, the New Brunswick government and Diabetes Canada stress the urgency of good control. And yet, efforts to convince the government of New Brunswick to assist people with diabetes with the exorbitant cost of blood glucose test strips have failed. Many people cannot afford up to $2,000 annually for these strips and, therefore, go without, leaving them at risk of serious health complications, including death. Ontario provides up to 7500 sticks annually at no cost to insulin dependent diabetics. New Brunswick provides zero, dramatically increasing the likelihood that many of the 60,000 diabetics in the province will end up in hospitals, needlessly driving up health care costs. It makes no sense! Chances are you or a loved one will be diagnosed with this potentially deadly disease in the coming years. Please sign this petition and tell the New Brunswick government to help offset the costs of blood glucose test strips.
Your government recognizes that diabetes is a serious and growing health issue. Indeed, today there are over 60-thousand people in the province living with diabetes. This number will soar in the years ahead. Your government stresses the urgency that people with diabetes who are on insulin must check their blood glucose levels regularly and yet your government provides zero financial support to most diabetics. Meanwhile, thousands of people with diabetes suffer unnecessary complications, hospital visits and even death because they cannot afford to buy blood glucose test strips in sufficient quantities to check their sugar levels to ensure they are in good control. (It costs between $1,000 and $2,000 annually for test strips). Ontario provides up to 7500 sticks annually. New Brunswick provides none to most diabetics and only limited numbers to those on social assistance. This must change! Diabetes is at epidemic levels and will have an increasing impact on health care costs in the future if people are not provided with assistance to help them manage their condition. The New Brunswick government must provide financial support to help offset the costs associated with diabetic care for all New Brunswickers who suffer from this potentially fatal chronic disease.
