#supportnaturalmedicine
Last week, 13 October 2017, the Australian Government made an announcement regarding the removal of the private health insurance rebate for certain natural therapies from 1 April 2019.
Natural therapy modalities named in the announcement were: aromatherapy, Bowen therapy, Buteyko, Feldenkrais, Herbalism, Homeopathy, Iridology, Kinesiology, Naturopathy, Pilates, Reflexology, Rolfing, Shiatsu, Tai Chi and Yoga.
The Sydney Morning Herald was the first to review this news: Health fund premiums to be reined in under sweeping Turnbull government changes.
This announcement comes after a recent Review of the Australian Government Rebate by the Commonwealth Chief Medical Officer on Private Health Insurance for Natural Therapies.
Please join ATMS in support of natural medicine and our practitioners by contacting your local Member for Parliament.
We all have a vote, and we vote for Natural Medicine! We invite consumers, practitioners and the industry to join together in one voice to tell our MPs that if they support the removal of funding for natural medicine via the private health funds, they will not get our vote in the next election!
#supportnaturalmedicine
Why?
By removing, this rebate from private health funds, the Government are limiting every Australian’s right to choose the type of health care they receive.
This will affect demand for the 25,000 local small businesses in natural medicine and the wider industry impacting jobs.
Natural medicine is a long-term preventative health care strategy and we strongly believe it is crucial to reducing the burden on the public health system.
What can you do?
Please download the letters below and send a personalised version to your local MP.
Consumer Letter: I support natural medicine and I vote
[PC Users: Download the Word Doc Now]
[Mobile Users: Click here and copy and paste the letter]
[For the Mandarin translated letter: Click here to view the letter]
Practitioner Letter: I support natural medicine and I vote
[PC Users: Download the Word Doc Now]
[Mobile Users: Click here and copy and paste the letter]
[For the Mandarin translated letter: Click here to view the letter]
Please email or post this letter directly to your local Member of Parliament or deliver it to their office in person. You can find their details by clicking HERE
If you are sending this to your MP by email please cc: president@atms.com.au so we can collect and utilise your stories in our communication with health funds and Government directly.
Alternatively, if you are sending this by post or in person, please send a copy of your letter to: PO Box 1027, Meadowbank NSW 2114.
Thank you from the Australian Traditional-Medicine Society for supporting our industry and accredited practitioners of natural medicine in Australia. Watch this space for further details on the campaign and updates on clarification on the Government’s announcement.
For further details on natural medicine visit: www.naturalmedicineweek.com.au
Please contact us directly if you would like to discuss this further at: president@atms.com.au
[1] IBIS World, Alternative Health Therapies in Australia, August 2012