[ozmidwifery] Let's Keep the Pressure Up

[Justine Caines]

Title: Let's Keep the Pressure Up

Hi All

I have just watched the debate between Howard and Latham and sprung into action.

I think a letter to the Editor campaign and a blast of talk-back radio is in order!

I have drafted a five sample letters, pasted below (change a few words or just use for ideas but send them out to as many papers as you can).  It would be good to know when you send your letters in and if they are published (also let us know if you can call in talk-back!)

Remember only 4 more weeks of them having their ears open (a little bit!!!!!!!)

Forward this message to any supporters you know

In solidarity

Justine


Justine Caines
National President  Maternity Coalition Inc
PO Box 105
MERRIWA  NSW  2329
Ph: (02) 65482248
Fax: (02)65482902
Mob: 0408 210273
E-Mail: [EMAIL PROTECTED]




Choice?!

John Howard says he supports families and choice.  I am perplexed.
As a childbearing woman I have very little choice in maternity care, potentially the most important health care I will choose.

I am denied what 70% of New Zealand women choose, the care of a known midwife, also the care The World Health Organisation deems the most appropriate and cost effective for the majority of
Women.

The Howard Government has actively discriminated against midwifery models of care in favour of private obstetrics, health care that is only recommended for a minority of women.

So it looks like Mr Howard supports subsidising the lifestyle choices of private Obstetricians, but not the choice of an Australian woman to demonstrated best practice healthcare from a midwife.

Health Does Not Need More Money!

How many times have we heard the health care crisis in Australia can be solved with more money.  As demonstrated on 4 Corners recently there is rorting of the current system.

Health Minister Abbott has recently enabled private Obstetricians to claim on the Medicare safety net at a huge cost to the taxpayer.

These Doctors are only needed for a minority of cases and to fund them cart blanche is irresponsible. It is these same Doctors that have been slugging Australian women huge out of pocket expenses, even when the public purse funds their insurance premiums.

Child birth is the single most reason for hospitalisation. If appropriate care was funded then other areas of health would not fall short.

World wide evidence shows that 80% of woman are best cared for by a known midwife.  In Australia less than 1% of Australian women can choose this care.  Midwifery programs around the country show many more women wanting to access them than places allow.  Despite this many have been closed and very few been extended.

Women and families are seemingly far less powerful than the medical lobby.  Perhaps October 9 will tell.


Healthcare for Who?

The recent announcement by Minister Abbott to fund huge out of pocket expenses of private obstetricians is a disgraceful waste of money.

Public funds will prop up lucrative private medical practices even further.  Already public money subsidises insurance premiums of these Drs.

Obstetricians provide an important service for the minority of women needing medical care. They should only be funded for this.  There is no other area of medicine that allows healthy people to access specialist care unnecessarily. Private Obstetricians practice largely in capital cities with few practicing in regional areas and virtually none in rural areas.

What services do rural taxpayers receive?  Deputy PM, John Anderson said rural people support a two-tiered healthcare system. For maternity services there is no other tier John.  What has your Government done to support a return of rural maternity services?

Is it your Government that refuses to provide insurance assistance to independent midwives? (The same midwives that could assist in re-opening rural maternity units). Is it your Government that thinks it’s safer for women to risk giving birth on the side of the road or be forced to travel hundreds of kilometres for surgical birth just so it can be scheduled?

Misuse of Public Health Funds

If you have a loved one with a mental illness or a disability, or an elderly parent that cannot find a nursing home place, read on.

Health Minister Tony Abbott has just done a deal with some of Australia’s wealthiest medical practitioners to enable their hefty out of pocket expenses to be shifted onto the public purse, through the Medicare Safety-net.

Surely they must be brain surgeons? No they are Obstetricians.  Bringing babies into the world is very important,  but they Obstetricians are only needed for a minority of cases and healthy women are better in the care of a midwife.  Midwifery care is cheaper and better for 80% of women and yet only 1% of Australian women can access 1 to 1 care from a midwife they know through pregnancy birth and post-natally.

An estimate of the blow-out by funding private Obstetricians is as high as $200 Million and it is only a portion of the overall cost.  This money could be spent on those who really need it. Let Mr Howard know you support cost effective and appropriate health care for all, not some on October 9.

Wooing Female Voters

As a woman I am not sold on the family/woman friendly policies of either Mr Howard or Mr Latham.
Maternity care in Australia is broken and needs to be fixed. Australian women are cared for in a highly fragmented system. Resultant issues such as post-natal depression and maternal isolation could be a direct result of this care.
Mr Abbott has just committed to enabling private obstetricians high out of pocket expenses to be shifted back to the public purse via the Medicare safety net.  The estimated blow-out to the taxpayer could be $200 Million or more.  This money only funds women with private health insurance (just over 30% of women) and these Doctors pretty much only work in metropolitan areas.
Mr Latham has commented on this diabolical waste of money but not committed to any reform of maternity services.
Since 1985 there have been 32 enquires into maternity care, with the majority recommending an enhancement of midwifery care (considered cheaper and better for 80% of women). He won’t need to look far for the answer.