News

30 December, 2017

What Your Health Your Choice achieved in 2017


Post Image

It’s been a big year for natural therapies and medicines and, therefore, a big year for Your Health Your Choice. The end of the year marks five months since the launch of Your Health Your Choice and we want to say THANK YOU and wish you and your loved ones a safe, happy, and healthy festive season.

For the first time, we’ve created a united voice for natural therapies and medicines. Nearly 70,000 of us – consumers and practitioners – fighting together to protect our right of choice in healthcare and access to natural medicines and therapies which are under threat.

WHAT WE’VE ACHIEVED TOGETHER SO FAR:

Government recognition & engagement

Federal Health Department recognition – Your Health Your Choice added to the official Government “issues” list. This campaign is growing large and this pressure is starting to open doors in Canberra: politicians and senior bureaucrats are starting to engage with us.

A National Award

Your Health Your Choice awarded the national Judges Choice Award at the annual Complementary Medicines Australia gala awards night for its success in creating a united voice.

Viral social media engagement

Our social media management of Facebook has resulted in posts and breaking news updates reaching audiences of more than half a million people.

Celebrity endorsement

Australian celebrities such as Chef Paleo Pete, social media influencers, and industry giants such as Blackmores are supporting and sharing the campaign.

Record sign-ups

Protestor support – 32,000 people joined in just days after the Federal Government cut natural therapies from the Private Health Insurance Rebate.

BUT THE THREATS CONTINUE:

Health fund rebate cuts

The Government’s announced plan to cut health fund rebates for natural therapies starts from 1 Jan 2018. Pressure from the YHYC campaign is making the government think twice, and more support is needed to make this happen.

Product ban

Products including sleep and stress formulas, natural teething gel and behind-the-counter naturopathic products proposed to be banned from sale in pharmacies. Some pharmacies have already removed them from the shelves.

Therapeutic Goods Administration regulatory change targeting

  • – Aromatherapy – essential oils (like Lavender and Tea-Tree)
  • – Tissue Salts
  • – Flower essences (like Rescue Remedy)
  • – Homeopathic products (like Arnica)
  • – Pregnancy supplements
  • – Minerals and vitamins

Commonwealth Ombudsman complaint unresolved

The complaint against the National Health and Medical Research Council over a review into homeopathy that excluded positive evidence is still unresolved.

Petition for Senate Inquiry

At least 30,000 more signatures are needed and Senators are being called on to stand up and fight for an Inquiry to protect natural medicines and therapies.

Education

Courses under attack of being shut down which will result in a shortage of Practitioners.

Consumer choice at risk

Access to products, services, and unbiased reporting under attack.


« Return to News & Features
Background Image

SIGN HERE

Are you one of the 2 in 3 people that use traditional medicine and natural therapies to complement your health needs?

Add your voice to the growing community of people that wish to protect their right to access these therapies. Let’s send Government a clear message.

118134

people signed

We’ll keep you updated about the campaign. For more information please see our About us page.