Sorry, not from Australia, but Canada. I'm chiming in because I have a question to ask. In about 1980 when the Australian equivalent of the AAP stop recommending routine infant circumcision, why did the circ rate almost immediately plunge? I mean, it seems that a heck of a lot of Aussie boys born after 1980 are more likely intact than cut.
But in the U.S. and Canada it's taken sooooooooo long for the rate to go down to minority status (minority being the circ'd boys)... and even then, Canada beat the Americans to it way faster!
I chatted with an 18-year-old gay Aussie guy online and I was curious, so I asked him about the circ rate his peers (his age range). He said only 1 out of 5 are cut... 1 out of 5!!!
Yeah, esp if they had the sense to stop covering the darned procedure. How many states have Medicaid that still cover it?? Like 40? Thats just ridiculous!
From hanging around online I've learned that there's a Brisbane doctor who gives out a lot of misinformation and circumcises lots and lots of babies. Apparently if it weren't for that one doctor, plus the religious circumcisers, Australia's rate would be nearly down to zero.
I'm from Australia, but my son is intact. I don't know any boys who arn't. Even one of my older friends who two sons are now 27? (born 1981) and 21 are both intact.
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Does Oz have socialized medicine, state health care, the like?
We have medicare, but I doubt it would cover an elective like circ. Well I hope not.
The actually aired a circ segment on a health show last night up here in Queensland. It was fairly accurate I thought. The Dr on twice said there was no need for it, and the male compare on the story said how all his age was done (obviously referring to himself) but that lucky boys now were generally not done except for religious reasons. it then moved on to show part of two circs.
a 2 1/2 year old Muslim boy who was cut while awake!
and an 8 day old Jewish baby boy. Then showed a regular family who's boy was intact who said out of 30 parents they new only one had there son circd.
We have medicare, but I doubt it would cover an elective like circ. Well I hope not.
I'm still confused about this. Ive been told by the Medicare fraud section that social circs are not covered, but general medicare information say they are if the doctor claims.
They are also saying the circ consultations are covered which doesn't seem fair.
Some people are saying in forums they are getting a rebate for anaesthetia, but medicare fraud says they shouldn't be so something funny is ging on.
There have reports of some doctors claiming bogus phimosis as an indication for circ and medicare is not doing enough about it, I can post some details if I can find them.
I was unclear. I meant to say that since most socialized/gov't medical plans don't cover circumcision, if they have that Down Under, then that would be why the rate dropped - whereas in the States where private medicine is still the norm, circumcision is covered by nearly all private insurance companies.
I believe 33 states fund circumcision of boys with taxpayer money.
I think a big reason why it dropped in the 80s was that most doctors refused to do them. I think social circs are banned in NSW hospitals (dont know if so in other states.)
I think it was doctor led.
I don't think its meant to be covered by Medicare but I'm still learning about it. Maybe there are loopholes.
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