AMA backs funding revamp for adult gender-affirmation surgery
The AMA backs funding updates to ensure its fit for purpose and delivers multidisciplinary care for adult gender-affirming surgery.
AMA President Dr Danielle McMullen was quoted in the Medical Republic this week saying that funding arrangements were not fit for purpose and inadequate for a multidisciplinary model of care.
The AMA wrote earlier this month to the Medical Services Advisory Committee’s patient consultations and surgical procedures for gender affirmation in adults with gender incongruence.
In the letter we supported the Australian Society of Plastic Surgeons call for amendments to changes to MBS items for gender-affirming surgery for adults.
Dr McMullen said, “Gender-affirming care is linked with a range of positive health outcomes for people who are trans and gender diverse.”
Data indicates that having a health provider that understands gender identity and treats patients with respect is associated with significant reductions in depression and suicidal thoughts.
“The provision of gender-affirming treatment, like all medical care, should include discussion with patients about the risks and benefits of each potential treatment pathway, including acknowledging areas and treatments for which evidence is still emerging,” Dr McMullen said.
“Where the long-term effects of treatments are unknown, this should be clearly communicated with patients along with information about identified short and medium-term effects.
“Treatment and legal guidelines are important resources that doctors should use to guide their provision of gender-affirming treatments.”
