DOCTORS REFORM SOCIETY

Media Release

Wednesday, 21 September 2005

DOCTORS PREDICT HEALTH MINISTER ABBOTT COULD BAN ABORTION

“Legislative changes which allow the Health Minister to decide himself what operations and procedures should be rebatable under Medicare strikes at the very heart of the universality of Medicare,” said Dr Tim Woodruff, President, Doctors Reform Society

“What is to prevent him stopping Medicare benefits for abortion?” asked Dr Woodruff. “Will we then see those who can’t afford a private unfunded procedure,  being forced to the backyard abortionist, or having a baby they don’t want and can’t care for properly?  So much for universal health care.”

“This sounds like a backdoor way of pushing a private agenda the Australian population does not support,” said Dr Woodruff.

“Currently we have an independent assessment of what operations and procedures should qualify for Medicare. If it’s too slow, speed it up by all means, but not by giving a politician with no medical knowledge the power to decide on the basis of his moral beliefs.”