Alberta PCs promise free insulin pumps

The Alberta Progressive Conservatives are promising free insulin pumps forpeople with Type I diabetes, a disease that affects about30,000 Albertans.

The availability of insulin pumps will helppatients control the disease and reduce complications, said the Tories.

The PCs estimate the initialcost of the program at $8.6 million, but expect the program to lead to net savings in the long run.

The Canadian Diabetes Association estimated the program could save theprovince $10.8 million over the next 20 years, the PCs said in a press release.

Total direct and indirect costs for diabetes in Alberta are estimated at $1.1 billion per year.