TL/DR –
The Australian Medical Association (AMA) is urging the federal government to revise regulations that deny people in custody access to Medicare and medicines subsidized by the Pharmaceutical Benefits Scheme (PBS). Current laws dating from 1973 disable incarcerated individuals from receiving the same quality of healthcare as the general public, leading to significant health disparities. The AMA notes that individuals in custody have higher rates of chronic and communicable diseases, mental health conditions, and addiction, which are exacerbated by the unequal healthcare they receive.
Australian Medical Association Advocates for Fairer Healthcare in Custodial Settings
The Australian Medical Association (AMA) is urging the government to revise policies that prohibit detainees from availing Medicare and medicines funded by the Pharmaceutical Benefits Scheme (PBS).
In their submission to the Pharmaceutical Benefits Advisory Committee’s (PBAC) March 2024 meeting, the AMA details the healthcare disparities experienced by Australians in custody.
AMA President, Professor Steve Robson, states that healthcare in custodial situations should match the professional and ethical standards of Australia’s wider community healthcare. He deems it a violation of human rights that Australian prisoners are denied the same healthcare quality.
“The 1973 law restricts detainees from accessing treatment under Medicare or obtaining PBS-subsidised medicines.”
This law aimed to prevent service duplication, with state and territory governments providing prison health services. However, the AMA indicates that this exclusion has resulted in significant healthcare disparities among Australian detainees.
Individuals in custodial environments with intricate medical conditions needing expensive drugs have their treatment determined by state justice health departments, unlike the broader community, which can access the PBS.
Professor Robson highlights that detainees experience higher rates of chronic physical diseases, mental health issues, communicable diseases, and addiction. He blames these escalating issues on the unfair healthcare delivery in prisons and other custodial settings.
The AMA, however, appreciates PBAC’s recognition of the barriers custodial persons face in accessing PBS medicines. The AMA anticipates the committee’s update at the March meeting following its review of received advice and submissions.
Get more details from the AMA’s submission and their Health Care in Custodial Settings Position Statement.
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