Medicare Legislation back before a Senate Committee - submissions needed by 11th Dec

[Nyree]

From Justine Caines:

Today, Greens Senator Rachel Siewert was successful in moving the Medicare related legislation again to a Senate Committee. The reason this has become necessary is that Health Minister, Nicola Roxon put forward an amendment that will require midwives to demonstrate “collaboration” with an individual Dr (GP/Obs, Specialist Obstetrician) in order to secure Medicare funding and indemnity insurance. Indemnity insurance will be required in order for midwives to seek registration from July 2010. Allowing Dr veto of midwifery practice is a massive attack on midwifery practice and removes a woman’s basic right to informed consent/right of refusal. A woman still have the right, but if she exercises it she is unlikely to retain a registered midwife to care for her.

This was a very sneaky move on the part of Minister Roxon. Because the related bills are before the Senate (for review) the amendment has no capacity to be scrutinised. Senators are expected to simply vote for or against the bills with no discussion regarding this sinister amendment.

We will keep you posted of the timeframe of the Inquiry. We do know that the reporting date is February 2 2010, so be prepared for some Christmas/New Year submission writing (YES AGAIN!)

For those passionate about reforming childbirth please don’t lose hope. It is true the attacks by female members of the Government has been brutal. We are however in a strong position, women from every corner of the country have stood up in support of their rights (or that of their sisters and daughters).

[jodiemiller]

Gawd, I am so sick of submission-writing but I hope this is the last!

[battlecrumpet]

Is it possible to create a joint submission that lotsa people sign on to - or is this a lot less effective? Or has been done before?

Qld Conservation Council have in the past gone to the extent of publishing a submission as a newspaper ad, and asking readers to cut it out and send it in. I'm not suggesting that this would be an appropriate tactic in every case, or that the money exists to pay for this anyway - it's just an example of what can be done with joint submissions.

[Nyree]

Is it possible to create a joint submission that lotsa people sign on to - or is this a lot less effective? Or has been done before?

Joint submissions often have less impact than lots of individual ones as signing a form letter or similar is seen as the 'lazy' thing that anyone could do without any real thought.

Then again, even having a record number of personal submissions to the last Senate Inquiry got us where we are now :( - but some Senators like Rachael Siewert did sit up & take notice.

[battlecrumpet]

Then again, even having a record number of personal submissions to the last Senate Inquiry got us where we are now :( - but some Senators like Rachael Siewert did sit up & take notice.

In that case - perhaps other tactics would have more impact than submission writing - e.g. rallies. And they get more media attention.

I'd like to think the Greens would take notice of this issue anyway (submissions or no) due to social justice principles.

[jodiemiller]

I don't know about media attention - really I was completely gobsmacked that the Canberra rally was not newsworthy outside of Canberra. Your average Jo-anne doesn't like to see rallies on the news. Even if they feature bellies and babies.

Years ago, I was involved in a media stunt with baby clothes on clothes lines. Maybe it's time to revive the idea?

[Stardust]

Sounds interesting Jodie!

[Nyree]

Hmmmm...I loikes your thinking there, Jodie :)

I think the submissions did make those who were going to care anyway take notice - certainly yes in the case of the Greens - and maybe even a few Libs. Labour members will probably vote along party lines anyway.

[jodiemiller]

I must be missing out on a chunk of MC correspondence. Better update my membership.

I simply can't see how they're going to give midwives indemnity insurance without attaching their services to obstetrics. What do they do in NZ - who insures midwives there?

[battlecrumpet]

Your average Jo-anne doesn't like to see rallies on the news. Even if they feature bellies and babies.

They don't? Do you think rallies alienate the mainstream that much?
I must stop living in my bubble, if so!

[Nyree]

What do they do in NZ - who insures midwives there?

Indemnity insurance in NZ (& the UK) is completely different - not based on Tort Law like it is here

[cherish]

I think people see the rallies and think 'oh a bunch of weird hippy mums who don't represent me..' which isn't true of course..

Also- many women value obstetric care much more than midwifery care.. after all the midwife is 'just the nurse' who takes my blood pressure isn't she??.. I am amazed when I talk with women about it all. I recently did some training about doulas at the organisation I now work at.. the professional women who were in the training took great offence at my suggestion that ob care would more likely result in interventions etc.. it's very interesting the views out there!

[Bron]

I'd still do the submissions. The ABA National Breastfeeding Helpline eventuated after the inquiry into breastfeeding, and it was inundated with submissions as well. It shows the pollies that it is an important issue.

Are there any links available as to who to direct the submissions to?

[Nyree]

http://www.aph.gov.au/senate/committee/clac_ctte/health_leg_midwives_nurse_practitioners_09_nov09/tor.htm

http://www.aph.gov.au/senate/committee/clac_ctte/health_leg_midwives_nurse_practitioners_09_nov09/info.htm

Submissions by 11th December!

[Eilleen]

I think for rallies to be really successful, you need contacts within the media so they feature it.

I've seen rallies of only about 50 to 60 people being shown on the news simply 'cause one of the organisers had an appointed media person who does the leg work with the media weeks (and sometimes months) beforehand.