SpeakOut_Feb2015_FINAL_web

Federal Budget 2015–2016 Submission – Medicare Rebates for Stuttering Treatment

Speech Pathology Australia recently submitted a proposal to the Australian Government Department of Treasury for the federal budget 2015-2016. Given the difficult political and budgetary climate, and in anticipation of a government response to the recommendations made from the Senate Inquiry – the budget proposal focused on a single budget initiative. We argued that Medicare should be targeted towards health interventions that are evidence-based, effective, safe and minimise future health treatment needs. Our proposal focused on an internationally recognised intervention, developed in Australia and based on the most robust scientific evidence of effectiveness – the Lidcombe Program – to treat stuttering in young Australian children. Thank you to the team at the Australian Stuttering Research Centre who provided expert advice about the evidence base for the Lidcombe Program and supported the Association’s submission.

Our proposal... That Medicare rebates be made available for the evidence-based speech pathology intervention ‘Lidcombe Program’ for eligible three and four-year-old children for the treatment of stuttering. The estimated investment is $15.2 million per year from the federal budget.

Future Budget Submissions? We are keen to hear from members if you have an idea for a future budget submission. Ideas need to focus on an evidence-based intervention for a specific group of people or condition. Send ideas to policy@speechpathologyaustralia.org.au . ronelle hutchinson Manager, Policy and Advocacy

Maximize your early language intervention services... Involve parents byusing an evidence-based coaching framework

Attend an It Takes Two to Talk® Certification Workshop and gain a proven parent coaching framework from The Hanen Centre, an international leader in parent-implemented early language intervention. You’ll learn how to eectively engage parents through explicit teaching, coaching and scaolding and help them become eective language facilitators for their child. You’ll also take home a set of highly practical, easy-to-use materials for use in your It Takes Two to Talk® parent programs and your one-to-one consulta- tions with families.

Space is limited! Register today for one of these upcoming It Takes Two to Talk workshops:

Brisbane, QLD ...... Apr 29 − May 01, 2015 Adelaide, SA ......... Jun 22 − Jun 24, 2015

Perth, WA ......... Jun 25 − Jun 27, 2015 Sydney, NSW .............. May 2015, TBA

See our complete workshop schedule at www.hanen.org/workshops

Speak Out February 2015

5

www.speechpathologyaustralia.org.au