Comments on: Hello, PHARMAC. So long, Southern Cross.

By: Nic

Nic — Tue, 13 Apr 2010 08:22:59 +0000

I agree Yvette, I’ve been a member since 1989 – no dice. If you’re on Facebook you should join this group: http://www.facebook.com/beingdiabetic#!/pages/Seeking-Govenment-Funding-for-Insulin-Pumps-for-all-type-1-Diabetics-in-NZ/115271811973

By: Yvette Walton

Yvette Walton — Tue, 13 Apr 2010 03:51:12 +0000

We are in the process of getting our 8 year old son on a pump. We have been members of Southern Cross for 15 years and can’t believe they won’t pay……………what kind of publicity does this earn them ? good to see you lobbying government perhaps we should all be in to see our local mps?
Yvette

By: Saffy

Saffy — Wed, 30 Dec 2009 06:29:06 +0000

Ok a very late post on this but I’m fired up on this topic too. Explain to me why the govt will fund my Lantus at some ridiculous cost each month (i.e. about the same as pump consumables) but won’t pay for pump stuff? It almost makes me want to spend the next 10 years pregnant so that the hospital will pay for my stuff :p How can T1s EVER be as ‘high on the radar’ as T2s in Pharmac’s eyes when we’re such a small proportion of the total. I seriously wish we had a totally different name for our condition – maybe it’s time for a rebrand, I’m sick of being lumped with the T2s. Vent over

By: Nic

Nic — Mon, 09 Mar 2009 01:10:46 +0000

Hear hear Lucy, it’s the last thing you need when you’ve gone down to one income I’m sure!

By: Lucy

Lucy — Sun, 08 Mar 2009 23:22:37 +0000

Hi,
I am happy to help where I can. I have a 5 month old baby and have found the pump a huge help and has lowered my Hba1c significantly. Being on one income, the financial commitment has been a struggle to say the least. I had to get a loan to get the pump. Would support any work to get some funding!

By: Nic

Nic — Mon, 02 Mar 2009 01:26:47 +0000

Update to the PHARMAC email: http://www.beingdiabetic.co.nz/2009/03/02/response-from-pharmac/

By: Aaron

Aaron — Sun, 01 Mar 2009 19:08:17 +0000

This is all sounding great guys. I forgot to mention that Nikki Kaye is also a friend of mine so I can potentially have some impact there. New to parliament, looking to make her mark and eager as a bean. I’ll see her within the month for personal reasons anyway so will be sure to have the conversation.

I remember when my mother accosted Jim Bolger in public in the early 1990’s because diabetics had to pay for syringes and drug addicts got them for free and they changed that policy pretty damn quick. I’m taking after her!

By: Kris

Kris — Sun, 01 Mar 2009 08:28:11 +0000

There is a guy in Wellington called Matt Taylor (can be contacted through his website www. breakscore.com) who is very politically active in trying to get funding at least for pump consumables. Matt has had positive feedback from Jackie Blue (National MP who is a doctor), and has recently been to see the Attorney General Chris Finlayson to discuss it – he was positive about it too because his sister has Type 1, and he agreed to write to Tony Ryall (Minister of Health) about it.

Matt contacted me last year after I wrote a ranting letter to the Listener about funding for pumps and asking why the hell David Cunliffe wouldn’t give the go-ahead for the pig cell trials. (which Cunliffe subsequently did thank goodness – although I’m sure it wasn’t me that made him do it!) So many Type 1s (and parents of Type 1s like me) got in touch with me after that letter I was really surprised. There are obviously a lot of annoyed people out there so somehow that needs to be harnessed. Annoying MPS by writing to them a lot is one way I have found useful, but there must be others!

By: Nic

Nic — Sun, 01 Mar 2009 08:26:54 +0000

Nice one…. I know Matt who reads this blog has spoken to the Attorney General recently… Matt can you summarise what happened at the meeting? Nic

By: Debbie

Debbie — Sun, 01 Mar 2009 06:35:48 +0000

My MP is John Key but I have no idea how easy he is to get hold of. But I am willing to write to people. Hopefully more people will get on board.