------- Start of forwarded message ------- From: "Plibersek, Tanya (MP)" <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> To: "'Sally Westbury'" <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> Subject: RE: Professional Indemnity (PI) Insurance for midwives Date: 28/08/01 9:25:14 Dear Sally Thank you for your e-mailed correspondence concerning independent midwives. I agree with many of the points you raise, especially in relation to women having the right to exercise a choice in birthing options and midwives being specialists in their field of work. I understand the premise on which independent midwives and women choosing birth options base the argument for private insurance cover support from Government. Please be assured that I firmly support choices for women birthing, at home, in a birth centre or at hospital. Furthermore, I acknowledge that midwives, wherever they work, are skilled professionals. Labor recognises that there is a need for reforms to medical indemnity. Recently the Hon Kim Beazley, Leader of the Opposition launched a medical indemnity reform package. This package includes seeking to refer the current problems with indemnity insurance for midwives to the Senate Inquiry into Nursing, to look at options to ensure that home births remain an option for expectant mothers. I have written, on behalf of a number of my constituents to the Hon Dr Michael Wooldridge, Minister for Health, seeking the Government's response to the concerns you have raised. I am interested to know what the Government plans to do on this issue. The Howard Government has a long history of doing too little, too late with the insurance sector. I have also passed on a copy of your concerns to my colleague the Hon Jenny Macklin, Shadow Minister for Health, for her information and as part of contributing to Labor's health policy formulation. Please be assured that your concerns are being heard and thanks for writing to me on this very important issue. Yours sincerely Tanya Plibersek MP Member for Sydney -- This mailing list is sponsored by ACE Graphics. Visit <http://www.acegraphics.com.au> to subscribe or unsubscribe.
