Senate Committee Inquiry into Medicare item no. 16525

The following news is from Women’s Health Victoria http://www.whv.org.au/newsroom.htm

 

On the 16^th of September 2008, Senator Barnett raised a disallowance motion http://www.whv.org.au/newsroom.htm#medicareFunding to remove the Medicare item no. 16525 – “Management of second trimester labour, with or without induction, for intrauterine fetal death, gross fetal abnormality or life threatening maternal disease.”

 

This motion is to disallow item 16525 of regulations that provide Medicare funding under the Health Insurance Act of 1973. The aim of the disallowance motion is to withdraw Medicare funding for second trimester abortions and late-term abortions.

 

 If the motion is successful, women who cannot afford to pay the full cost of the procedure may be forced to continue a pregnancy.

 

The disallowance motion was referred to the Senate Finance and Public Administration Committee for inquiry. The Committee is expected to report by the end of the year.

 

Action:

The Women’s networks encourage their members and supporters to make a written submission to the inquiry and support a woman’s fundamental right to safe, affordable and legal abortion.

 

Information on the Senate Committee inquiry, including how to make a submission

http://www.aph.gov.au/Senate/committee/fapa_ctte/health_insurance_regs/index.htm

 

Or

 

Email: The Women’s Electoral Lobby http://www.wel.org.au/  in SA for a copy of the petition at welinc.sa@gmail.com and return your petitions to them at:

Women’s Electoral Lobby SA, GPO BOX 2026, Adelaide, SA 5000.

 

Further Information

Children by Choice http://www.childrenbychoice.org.au/

Children by Choice response to the Proposal to remove Medicare Item No. 16525

http://www.whv.org.au/news/CbyC_ProtectingTheHealthCareOfPregnantWomenInTheSecondTrimester.pdf

 

Abortion in Australia – New Book Published

Did you know that abortion is illegal in Victoria?

Journalist, Gideon Haigh, author of a new book called “The Racket” discusses this and other aspects of abortion history in Australia on Radio National’s Life Matters program on Monday 1st September. Topics included are abortion law, past and present; backyard abortion and ways (often horrific) that women tried to cause themselves to miscarry. He also mentioned Bertram Wainer who campaigned to overturn the law  existing in the ’60s, exposed corruption involving both police and politicians and established the first public abortion clinic in Victoria in 1972.

Items that we hold on this topic are:

Abortion Corruption & Cops: the Bertram Wainer Story [videorecording]

I Had One Too….: an Oral History of Abortion in South Australia by Barbara Baird

When Abortion was Illegal: Untold Stories [videorecording]

Pregnancy Advisory Centre Resource Pack: Information Related to Unplanned/Unwanted Pregnancy and Abortion

-Jo

Women and War

Red Cross: Women and War exhibition

is now open from 21 July – 28 August at the Kerry Packer Civic Gallery

The gallery is open weekdays from 9am – 5pm

Location: UniSA City West campus, Hawke Building – Level 3, 50-60 North Terrace, Adelaide

The International Committee of the Red Cross (the ICRC) has produced this exhibition displaying photographs from around the world revealing women’s experience of war, including issues of women’s safety, health and sexual violence, this coincides with the 10 year anniversary of the International Criminal Court.

 - Cat

Healthy relationships

The Second Story Youth Health Service  and Mission Australia  are running a 6 week program for young women (13-15yrs) exploring couple relationships and how to make, and keep them healthy.

 

Topics explored include: Gender roles and stereotypes, Self Esteem, Healthy and Unhealthy relationships.

 

Enjoy activities like beading, crafts and other fun stuff. Lunch is provided.

Date: Tuesday 5^th August – 9^th September 11-2pm

Where: Reynella Enterprise and youth centre 10 Main South Road Reynella

RSVP: Alex 8326 6053

Maximum 12 places available so book early!

Website: www.cyh.com

Self-objectification: Women’s bodies and the media

MS Magazine is an American feminist magazine that focuses on women’s rights and the feminist movement.   

The current issue ‘What’s the measure of a woman?’ looks at body image and this article ‘Out of body image’ by Caroline Heldman looks the issue of ‘Self-objectification’—seeing ourselves through others’ eyes, which has the effect of impairing women’s body image, mental health, motor skills and even their sex lives. 

Thank you to Andrea for this link

- Cat

Research Participants wanted

Women who have recently experienced separation and have been through mediation or subjected to Family Law Court ordered shared parental arrangements while breastfeeding a child; or women who are currently experiencing these issues of breastfeeding and court ordered/mediation agreed parental arrangements are being sought.

 

If you are interested in participating or would like further information please contact Linda Sweet or Charmaine Power. Participation will be via a single interview.

 

Dr Linda Sweet

Telephone: (08) 8204 5017

linda.sweet@flinders.edu.au

 

Associate Professor Charmaine Power

Telephone: (08) 8201 3270

charmaine.power@flinders.edu.au

Dr Catherine Hamlin, founder of the Addis Ababa Fistula Hospital

Last Wednesday in our discussion about women’s issues internationally, we spoke about Dr Catherine Hamlin who established the Addis Ababa Fistula Hospital to operate on fistula patients in Ethiopia.  A fistula is a tear to the birth canal, bladder and rectum that arises in (usually very young) pregnant women in prolonged labour (often lasting up to six days) due to a lack of access to medical facilities. This condition occurs in impoverished women throughout the Third World.

 

ABC’s ‘Sunday Profile’

Sunday, 23 March  2008    Presenter: Monica Attard

Dr Catherine Hamlin, Founder of the Addis Ababa Fistula Hospital

Hamlin Fistula® Relief and Aid Fund

Hamlin Fistula Relief and Aid Fund

PO Box 965 Wahroonga NSW 2076

Phone +61 2 9449 6725
Fax + 61 9440 4764

fistulaltd@ozemail.com.au

 

The Fistula Foundation and Dr Catherine Hamlin

Women’s Health Centre’s

Women’s Health Statewide is a state-wide women’s health service and one of several community based women’s health centres including Dale Street Women’s Health Centre (Western suburbs),  Southern Women’s Health Centre (Southern) and Northern Women’s Health Centre (Northern).

 

These centres provide a range of services such as health information, medical services, counselling, groups and workshops, contact them for more details on what they provide.

 

Dale Street’s Term 2, 2008 brochure has just been released including groups, workshops, focus work and projects they are offering at their centre.

 

Dale Street Centre’s focus areas include: Domestic violence support programs, Time Out Occasional Childcare service, self management for chronic health conditions, same sex attracted women’s services, new arrival women’s services and young women’s services, among others.    

 

The program’s special events consist of ‘Easy walking’ with Feldenkrais, ‘Beyond the blues’ looking at depression, ‘Growing Stronger’ a childhood sexual abuse support group and Multicultural women’s days ‘celebrating world food and good health’ looking at healthy food, practical cooking and staying well.  

- Cat

Pacific Islander Women Community Health Forum

For all Pacific Islander Women of Adelaide

You are invited to a free and special ‘Community Health Forum for Pacific Islander Women’ only

Date: Fri May 16th, 2008

Venue: Kilburn Community Centre

59 Gladstone Ave, Kilburn

Time: Lunch at 12 noon & afternoon tea at 3pm are provided

Forum starts at 1pm and closes at 4pm

Come and share information about women’s health and get some good advice from health professionals

Sponsors: Government of SA and SA cervix screening program

For more information and for catering purposes, please call Tangi on 0419 804 988 or email tangi.steen@unisa.edu.au