Sexist Medicare: Why is it a $75 rebate to insert an IUD and $215 for a vasectomy?
RANZCOG vice-president Dr Nisha Khot says the universal insurance scheme still has a 'distinctly gendered bias'.
Have you ever wondered why the Medicare rebate for inserting an IUD is just $75 when the Federal Government will pay $215 for a man to have a vasectomy?
Last week, RANZCOG vice-president Dr Nisha Khot suggested the universal insurance scheme created back in the 1970s still has a “distinctly gendered bias”, given a vasectomy usually takes about 15-20 minutes.
Another example was the rebates for ultrasounds, with a scrotal ultrasound paying $100.90, compared with a $90.50 rebate for a pelvic ultrasound and pregnancy ultrasound rebates even lower at $32.20 for a scan before 12-weeks.
“The scrotal ultrasound is an ultrasound of one organ that is external and can be easily accessed,” Dr Khot told 6minutes.
