Orna McGinn: DHB's using ethnicity to decide criteria for low-cost contraception

Some GPs are making decisions on who should get cheap contraception, and who doesn't.The New Zealand Medical Journal says Māori and Pacific women are being targeted for the Ministry of Health's $4.5 million fund for free or low-cost contraception.It's for women at risk of an adverse outcome, as a result of an unintended pregnancy.Auckland University's Orna McGinn told Tim Dower all women should be able to benefit from cheap access to contraception.“Figures show one in four women in New Zealand will have an abortion in their life time – which is more likely than having your tonsils out.”McGinn says several DHBs are targeting Māori and Pacific women, those at risk of family violence, or mental health issues.She says that's not the way a population health measure should be rolled out.“Access to contraception should be even, throughout the country.”LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.