Should there be public Funding for Non-Invasive Prenatal Testing (NIPT) in Australia?
Catherine Mills1, Monash University 1Monash University
Abstract
Objectives: Non-invasive prenatal testing (NIPT) is increasingly being integrated into public healthcare systems globally. However, in Australia, NIPT is only accessible through a private user-pays system. In this paper, we report on a national survey that investigated the views of healthcare professionals’ (HCPs) and pregnant people on public funding for NIPT. We also consider some ethical issues that arise around public funding of prenatal screening programs, such as equity and justice concerns, disability discrimination and the link between prenatal screening and pregnancy termination.
Methods: Two anonymous online cross-sectional surveys were conducted between September to January 2023. HCPs involved in the provision of prenatal screening in Australia were recruited through professional society mailing lists and networks. Pregnant people were primarily recruited through social media advertisements.
Results:
A total of 475 HCPs and 677 pregnant people responded. Most HCPs (401/475, 84.4%) and pregnant people (542/677, 80.1%) supported Medicare rebates for NIPT. Of those in support, most endorsed rebates to be available to anyone who is pregnant (HCPs 348/401, 86.7%; pregnant people 469/542, 86.5%). HCPs (155/475, 32.6%) primarily supported a cost to the user between $0 – $50 compared to pregnant people (187/677, 27.6%) who supported a cost of $50 – $100.
Conclusions:
There is widespread support for public funding of NIPT. Further, concerns about justice and equity of access means that NIPT should be publicly funded in Australia.
Biography
Catherine Mills is a Professor in the Monash Bioethics Centre, at Monash University. Her research addresses ethical, social and regulatory issues that arise around technology innovation in human reproduction. She has received research funding from the ARC, MRFF, NHMRC, Illumina, Monash IVF, Ferring Pharmaceuticals and the Wellcome Trust.