The Sask. Party said, if re-elected, they will extend coverage for glucose monitoring to both young adults (up to age 25) and seniors age 65 and over. (ID 255967704 © CottonCandyClouds | Dreamstime.com)

By paNOW Staff

Saskatchewan health care

Health care promises for both parties: NDP to end ER closures, Sask. Party to extend diabetic care

Oct 9, 2024 | 10:12 AM

Both the NDP and Sask. Party each kicked off Wednesday with a health care promise to fulfill if elected.

The Saskatchewan NDP issued notice of their plan to end rural ER service disruptions, if they become the governing party, while the Sask. Party noted they will extend coverage for glucose monitoring to both young adults (up to age 25) and seniors age 65 and over.

In its promise, the Sask. Party noted it fulfilled prior election commitments on glucose monitoring after the party was re-elected in 2020. In that case, coverage was provided at no cost for continuous and flash glucose monitors for children and youth under age 18.

“Glucose monitoring can really help those who need it improve their health and quality of life,” Sask. Party leader Scott Moe said in a media release. “Improving the lives of people living with diabetes — that’s one more way a strong economy means a bright future for everyone living in Saskatchewan.”

The extended coverage would benefit roughly 9,000 seniors age 65 and over. It would also benefit 700 young adults aged 18 to 25.

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According to a statement provided by Diabetes Canada, the announcement is a good step to expanding access to CGM in the short term.

“Diabetes Canada looks to all parties to address the critical role a continuous glucose monitoring system (CGM) can play in optimizing clinical outcomes, improving treatment satisfaction and enhancing the quality of life for many people living with diabetes, regardless of age.”

Through accounts by people who live with diabetes, Diabetes Canada explained they are aware of the many benefits of CGM technologies for glucose management, prevention of hypoglycemia (low blood glucose) and addressing anxiety related to potential hypoglycemia, as well as overall feelings of anxiety and diabetes distress.

Meanwhile the NDP is criticizing its counterpart for not signing onto the national pharmacare plan, which it said would have improved health care for diabetics. A media release also noted the governing party’s rural health care coverage, citing instances of emergency room closures.

Nicole Saruauer, the Sask. NDP candidate for Regina Douglas Park issued a statement this morning rebuking Moe’s record and promising to end service disruptions across the province.

“Saskatchewan people can’t get health care when and where they need it. Imagine driving to a hospital during an emergency only to find a sign on the door that says the emergency room is closed and to keep driving. That’s the reality of health care under Scott Moe and the Sask. Party. That’s Scott Moe’s record,” Sarauer wrote.

“Families and front-line workers deserve to be heard and that is why a Saskatchewan NDP government plan to invest $1.1 billion in health care so we can staff up, train up, and keep our hospitals open with enough workers so we can avoid burnout among staff.”

Sarauer said she will travel to Yorkton, Melville, Fort Qu’Appelle, and Broadview over the next two days to discuss health care with community members.

Both Moe and Sask. NDP leader Carla Beck will be in Saskatoon today for respective campaign events. Beck is expected to release her plan to end emergency room closures.

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panews@pattisonmedia.com