CHILDREN BY CHOICE ASSOCIATION INCORPORATED

Access to Abortion Services

Unplanned pregnancy remains a key health issue for Australian women. Approximately, 50% of all pregnancies are unexpected. These pregnancies often arise due to contraceptive failure, or where contraception is not readily available to women. The experience of an unplanned pregnancy can be difficult for many women when the pregnancy is unwanted. Many women and their families make the decision to terminate an unwanted pregnancy when they feel they are unable to parent a child at that time. As a father, you would understand the tremendous dedication and responsibility required of parents to raise their children in a loving and supported environment.

Children by Choice is very concerned about the widening gap between the cost of a termination and the value of the Medicare rebate for this vital service. Over the past four years, Children by Choice has received increasing numbers of requests for financial assistance from Queensland women who are experiencing unplanned or unwanted pregnancy and are seeking a termination of pregnancy.

Services are only available in private medical clinics and day surgeries in Queensland. Private medical clinics offering pregnancy termination services charge clients and patients a ‘theatre fee’, as the Medicare Benefit scheduled fee does not adequately cover the real cost of service provision (particularly following the large increases in medical insurance following the collapse of HIH and the hardening of the global insurance market).

The current ‘out of pocket’ expense for a first trimester termination range from $160 to $600 for services in Queensland. Rural and regional women are particularly disadvantaged as any services form north of the Sunshine Coast start from $450.

The situation in Queensland is mirrored in other Australian states where termination of pregnancy services are generally unavailable within the public health system. The reduction in the relative value of the Medicare rebate means that women from lower socio-economic parts of society are impacted greatly when trying to access termination services.

Children by Choice is currently undertaking research into the declining value of the Medicare rebate for termination of pregnancy and it’s impact on women. We have also made Budget submissions to the federal government for an increase to the Medicare rebate and also for increased funding to sexual and reproductive health organisations to improve access to sexual health services and education in rural, regional and remote areas.

If you are interested in this issue, or would like to know more, contact the Coordinator.