Monday August 17, 2009.
Today’s Senate report into proposed legislation which effectively makes attending a homebirth outside of conditions of midwifery registration is being watched closely by the Australian Private Midwives Association. The Senate Community Affairs committee was asked to examine legislation which excludes homebirth from a government subsidised indemnity package – forcing midwives to cease homebirth practice and women to birth at home alone or with unregistered care providers. The legislation, the Health Legislation Amendment (Midwife and Nurse Practitioner) Bill 2009 and two other related bills is in response to the government's Budget measures enabling midwives to access the MBS and PBS and to receive high claims subsidies for professional indemnity insurance.
“We know that this Senate inquiry received over 2000 submissions indicating the depth of support for this issue as a fundamental women’s rights issue” said president of the Australian Private Midwives Association Liz Wilkes “We cannot believe that women will be denied the right to choose where they have their baby in a democratic society.”
The Senate committee heard from many major organisations in a hearing on August 6 and is due to report today.
“We have not seen any evidence that this legislation will make homebirth care safer, in fact it is just the opposite” Ms Wilkes added “The Federal Department of Health have indicated that women will be able to have a health care provider to attend a homebirth, they just won’t be able to be registered or to call themselves a midwife. This seems to be particularly ludicrous given that this is Australia and we are in 2009, not 1909.”
Whilst no clear reason for the exclusion of homebirth has been indicated there has been reference to the cost of indemnity by several sources.
“The Federal Health Minister has indicated that she may examine costing a package of indemnity including homebirth. We would welcome figures on this being bought into the public domain and for the process which determined costing to be examined” said Ms Wilkes. “We expect a supportive outcome of this Senate inquiry. There is a lack of anything to substantiate the governments exclusion of homebirth.”
Media – Liz Wilkes President APMA 0423 580585
in the press
From ethicist Leslie Cannold
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