There were some welcome health measures providing cost of living relief in this year's Federal Budget.
Diabetes Australia Group CEO Justine Cain said investments in cheaper, more available medicines, would have a positive impact on people living with diabetes.
"The budget includes good news for people who rely on medicines, with the announcement of a one-year freeze on the maximum co-payment for a PBS prescription for Medicare cardholders, as well as a freeze for up to five years for pensioners and concession cardholders.
"Australians are experiencing an ever-growing need for better access to diabetes medicines, so this freeze, as well as $3.4 billion for new and amended listings to the PBS, is encouraging news," Ms Cain said.
An additional $3.7 million is being invested to subsidise more devices under the Insulin Pump Program for financially disadvantaged Australians aged under 21 years with type 1 diabetes.
The Budget also included $6.5 million for JDRF's Type 1 Diabetes Clinical Research Network for research projects that are already underway.
"Every person living with diabetes should be able to afford, and have access to, the medicines and technologies they need to live well," Ms Cain said.
Diabetes Australia continues to call on the Federal Government to increase funding for diabetes prevention and screening, research, and access to technologies such as Automated Insulin Delivery and Continuous Glucose Monitoring devices.
Read more here.
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Natasha, Ange and Erin
Membership and Community Team
community@diabetesaustralia.com.au------------------------------