For the second day in a row, the provincial election campaign is focused on health care.
The Saskatchewan Party held an event in Regina announcing an expansion of the provincial Insulin Pump Program and covering the cost of the Continuous Glucose Monitoring system for children under the age of 18.
Party Leader Scott Moe says the program will now include people of all ages.
“There will be no age restriction at all for this program, everyone who needs an insulin pump is going to get one, and the province is going to cover the cost,” said Moe. “We expect the expansion of this program will benefit about 400 people across the province.”
The current program covers the cost of insulin pumps and supplies for Saskatchewan residents under the age of 25 with Type 1 Diabetes. The Sask. Party estimates eliminating the age restriction would benefit about 400 people in Saskatchewan. The cost of the two programs is expected to cost roughly $4.6 million.
Moe says the programs will improve the quality of life for diabetics in the province.
“We believe that these two measures, an expanded Insulin Pump Program and support for Continuous Glucose Monitoring will make life better for those people, and their families that are living with diabetes,” said Moe. “Both of those measures will improve the quality of life for people living with diabetes, and it will save those individuals, and their families, thousands of dollars each and every year.”
Moe adds that a strong economy is only possible if people can enjoy their lives without the burden of medical expenses.
“A strong economy, strong families, and making life more affordable for people and families that are living with diabetes,” said Moe. “That’s our plan for a strong Saskatchewan.”
The NDP meanwhile promised to build a new surgery and outpatient centre in Regina aimed at reducing surgical wait times.
The NDP say the new centre would cost $60 million, and aims to divert people from hospital emergency rooms.
NDP Leader Ryan Meili also committed to banning what he calls “American Style” health care, referencing private MRI clinics where residents pay to conduct MRI procedures faster. Meili says that process has actually doubled MRI wait times. The existing private clinics would be allowed to operate under his proposed framework.
