Parents with children suffering from type 1 diabetes will find it easier to buy expensive insulin pumps after the Federal Government today announced a large subsidy increase.
Under changes to the Type 1 Diabetes Insulin Pump Program, the Federal Government will subsidise the purchase of insulin pumps to the tune of $6,400 or 80 per cent of the pump price, more than doubling the current $2,500 subsidy.
The maximum subsidy amount will be reserved for families with a combines annual income of $64,240 but will operate on a sliding scale, gradually being reduced to $500 or 10 per cent of the pump cost for families with an income of $101,045.
Families with two or more diabetic children will be entitled to the means-tested subsidy for the first child and the maximum subsidy for subsequent children irrespective of the family's income.
According to Health Minister Nicola Roxon, the cost of insulin pumps ranged between $4,000 and $8,000.
"The number of Australian children being diagnosed with this disease is increasing by three per cent every year," Ms Roxon said.
"Whilst insulin pumps are not always the best therapy for all people with type 1 diabetes, they are considered as an optimal treatment for young people with type 1 diabetes – particularly where the diabetes is difficult to manage."