PETITION

To: The Legislative Assembly of Ontario

We the undersigned, petition the Legislative Assembly of Ontario as follows:

We are suggesting that All Diabetic Supplies as prescribed by an Endocrinologist or Medical Doctor be covered under the Ontario Health Insurance Plan.

Diabetes costs Canadian taxpayers 13 Billion Dollars a year and increasing! It is the leading cause of death and hospitalization in Canada. Many people with diabetes cannot afford the ongoing expense of managing diabetes. They cut corners to save money. They rip test strips in half, cut down on the number of times they test their blood, and even reuse lancets and needles. These cost saving measures often have tumultuous and disastrous health consequences.

Persons with diabetes need and deserve financial assistance to cope with the escalating cost of managing diabetes. We think it is in all Ontarians and the governments best interest to support Diabetics with the supplies that each individual needs to obtain optimum glucose control. Good blood glucose control reduces or eliminates kidney failure by 50%, blindness by 76%, nerve damage by 60%, cardiac disease by 35% and even amputations. Just think of how many dollars can be saved by the Ministry of Health if Diabetics had a chance to gain optimum glucose control.