Diabetes Australia has called on both sides of government to commit to $200m over four years to make it happen.
A federal injection of $200 million is needed to expand subsidised access to diabetes technologies, says Diabetes Australia.
Representatives from the peak body travelled to Canberra this week to call on both sides of federal Parliament to commit to funding equitable access to the technologies.
Expanding subsidies for insulin pumps and continuous glucose monitoring devices would ensure Australians living with all types of diabetes have access to the technology they need to live well, said the group’s CEO Justine Cain.
With more than 1.5 million Australians living with diabetes, and projections indicating that number will exceed 3.1 million by 2050, the need for affordable access to this technology has never been greater.
Ms Cain said continuous glucose monitoring devices (CGMs) and insulin pumps were both life-changing and lifesaving.
“Not only do they enhance quality of life, research shows that they also reduce hospital admissions, and prevent long-term complications such as heart disease, blindness, and kidney failure,” she said.
“Yet, despite their life-saving potential, many Australians living with diabetes simply can’t afford these technologies.
“The cost-of-living crisis is placing immense pressure on Australians living with diabetes, forcing many to choose between essential medical technology and basic necessities. No one should have to make that choice.”
Diabetes Australia wants the federal government and the opposition to commit $200 million over four years to expand subsidised access to diabetes technologies.
The proposed reforms would prioritise insulin pumps for people living with type 1 diabetes who were aged under 21 years, over 21 years with a healthcare card, and Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people.
CGM devices would be subsidised for people living with type 2 and other types of diabetes who were pregnant, Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people, under the age of 21 years, and requiring multiple daily injections of insulin.
“We’re grateful that the federal government has expanded CGM subsidies for all Australians with type 1 diabetes in recent years; however, we still have a long way to go,” said Ms Cain.
“People with type 2 diabetes requiring multiple daily insulin injections are still denied subsidised CGM access, despite clear evidence of improved health outcomes and cost savings for the healthcare system.
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“At the same time, thousands of Australians living with type 1 diabetes are unable to afford insulin pumps, with private health insurance being the only viable pathway for many. That’s an expensive option that remains out of reach for some people.”
The recent Federal Parliamentary Inquiry into Diabetes unequivocally supported the expansion of diabetes technology subsidies, stating that “ensuring better access to this technology for all Australians must be a priority”.
According to a Diabetes Australia position paper on Equitable Access to Diabetes Technology, research has shown that insulin pumps and CGM technology significantly improve blood glucose management, reducing the risk of severe hypoglycaemia, improving time-in-range, and ultimately leads to fewer diabetes-related complications.
Ms Cain said the economic case was just as strong. Expanding access would reduce emergency department visits, ambulance callouts, and hospitalisations, providing long-term savings for Australia’s healthcare system.
“Australia urgently needs a comprehensive approach to diabetes technology subsidies that would expand access, accelerate approvals, and ultimately improve health outcomes,” she wrote in the paper’s introduction.
She said the time for action was now.
“Diabetes does not discriminate based on income, postcode, or background, so why should access to life-saving technology?” Ms Cain said.
“We urge policymakers to commit to the $200 million investment outlined in our position statement, ensuring that every Australian has equitable access to the diabetes technology they need to lead healthier, fuller lives.”
