The AMA welcomes a new Senate report calling for increased MBS rebates for reproductive health, however, it wants to see more focus on making pregnancy cover more accessible through private health insurance.
The AMA has welcomed recommendations from a Senate inquiry for an increase to Medicare Benefits Schedule (MBS) rebates for reproductive healthcare and improved access to a wider range of contraception.
However, while welcoming the report, the AMA was disappointed there were no recommendations on making pregnancy cover more accessible through private health insurance policies.
The Senate's community affairs committee this week tabled a report into reproductive health.
AMA President Professor Steve Robson said the limited MBS items available were rarely appropriate to cover the cost of providing services, resulting in reduced access or out-of-pocket costs for providing reproductive care.
"New and more appropriate MBS items will greatly improve access to reproductive healthcare for women across Australia," he said.
The AMA's submission also called for improved access to a wider range of safe and affordable methods of contraception, working through the Pharmaceutical Benefits Scheme (PBS) and the Therapeutic Goods Administration processes, something the inquiry included in its recommendations.
Professor Robson said "at the moment only selected basic oral contraceptives are available through the PBS. We know that GPs regularly see patients who are better suited to a non-PBS subsidised option, however, this can be quite expensive, which means some people can't afford them".
Although the AMA supports recommendations to make contraceptive healthcare services more affordable, including by having adequate funding through Medicare, Professor Robson warned that efforts to expand prescribing rights must not undermine patient safety or fragment care.
He said the AMA also strongly believed that women and other pregnant people should not have to travel long distances to receive maternity care or abortions.
"As such, we welcome the committee's recommendation that all Australian governments should ensure these services are available and accessible for all who need them, especially in non-metropolitan public hospitals," he said.
"We know there are issues with access to services, particularly in regional areas. It's incumbent on governments to ensure women across the country can access the services they need."
Professor Robson said the AMA was disappointed there were no recommendations on making pregnancy cover more accessible through private health insurance policies.
"At the moment, pregnancy care remains at the top level of cover, making private maternity care unaffordable and inaccessible for many Australian women and other pregnant people."
