No Medicare / little $ - what to do?

So my kids Godmother knows of a 16 year girl, who has just discovered she is pg (due in Feb 12 going by LMP).

The 16 yr old girl and her Mum and 2 other family members have recently moved over to Australia from the Philippines when her father committed suicide. They apparently are ineligible for Medicare. They have found a female Doctor nearby who sees a small amount of pg women in her own time who cant afford to pay the Dr bills they'd otherwise encounter, which is a positive thing.

Due to not being able to afford Medicare, the mum to be hasn't had any scans (though I understand they aren't entirely necessary) and they have no idea how they'll be able to afford hospital fee's either. They are paying their own way in Australia entirely, and they only have the one income in the house. I think they get Medicare once they've been here for 2 years.

I've handed on all the gender neutral type baby clothing I have, the bassinet DD2 has now grown out of, some Summer maternity clothing, a rocking chair and toddler bed for the future.

I don't know what the point of my post is. I guess I feel surprised that there is someone in Australia who doesn't have access to Medicare....I'm certainly not asking for any donations by any means. Having had 3 kids of my own, I guess I just feel for the mum 2 B too.

Are there any community networks in SA anyone can think of?

there would be a Filopino (spelling?) group - migrants support type group if you google that

also salvos other charities and churches

Poor girl :(

I really hope they're eligible.

I have some left over baby clothes, not sure what the postage is like but I can check?

What about organisations like the Salvos, St Vinnies etc?

ETA Misread the EDD and forgot most Filipinos are Catholic so edited my response.

In Victoria there is a Migrant Resource Centre. Try googling the same for SA.

Otherwise I would get them linked into the Salvos, Anglicare or similar. Have they spoken to the local hospital?? I know here in Victoria, before laws were changed, there was some discretion allowed when it came to asylum seekers in the same situation. Perhaps the local hospital (particularly those run by the Sisters of Mercy) may be able to help????

I wonder if they are getting help through their local church. Many Filipinos are Catholic. The local church could be a very good source of support - emotional and financial.

I wish I could do more :(

ETA - Migrant Resource Centre of South Australia
http://www.migrantwomensservices.com.au/

i would direct them to ask Salvos, Lutheran community care, Central Mission, Anglicare, United Wesley Care etc.

See the social worker at the Women's and CHildren's Hospital and ask what happens in these situations, if they have any advice.

It's good to work stuff like this out BEFORE the baby arrives, so it's good that at least she has three or so months to be making enquiries.

There is a sizeable Fillipino community in Adelaide, i would contact them too. (it's mainly Fillipino women who i think would be sympathetic).

that's all i can think of

PZ - she'd be 5 months pregnant now, so not likely to be an option. I'd assume she's Catholic as well. I doubt they could afford it even if they wanted to.

I think migrant communities are the best place to ask. There are access to services via major public hospitals. The main thing is she gets some form of antenatal care. They may have to pay it back. I know of a migrant couple whose baby arrived early. I think the cost of the SCN was about $800 per night.

PZ, if the baby is due Feb, she must be five - six months pregnant at least by now. Terminations are illegal at that stage of gestation in SA.

There arent many organisations that will support a 16 yr old pregnant....

Giving birth costs a fortune even in a public hospital without medicare.... Most people that move here arent eligable for medicare.....it will cost $32 atleast anytime she needs to see a gp etc.....

It is very common for people not be eligible for medicare, some never and some take a few years. Dependant on what VISA they have and there applications for residency.

If they contact ST vinnies, salvos, caroline chisolm society etc they can get help with baby supplies, as for the hospital etc their is not the same available and unfortuantly hospital stays are costly. Other thing is she will also need to pay for vaccines if they decide to vaccinate baby.

I hope she gets some help.

I edited my post shortly after I sent it. Sorry, I misread the EDD.

I think Caroline Chisholm is a good one to try. Catholic as well, so good start!

Another is Marie Stopes. They may be able to help.

ANother option to look at is an IM for a homebirth??? I dont know much about this but perhaps their might be one that would donate his/her services???

That's a good idea n2l. Lots of IM's work on the basis that they will reduce their fees on a means tested basis and it would certainly negate any hospital bills.

I would start with vinnies, if they are catholic. It's an amazing organisation who are known for pulling out all the stops and helping families in need.

When my BIL came from Italy for a holiday he got sick and we were able to get a Medicare Card for him but it may depend on what sort of Visa they have.

Regards,
Dianne

Here is the next instalment...

Her Uncle is a catholic Parish priest, here in SA. It hasn't been outwardly said, by the family, but from the small circle 'in the know', it seems as there is a bit of an embarrassment and they don't want to go through the Church / catholic community. I feel they don't want to add to any possible embarrassment to possibly damage his reputation. I guess they could just contact a Vinnies or Salvo's and not mention their relation to a parish priest? Being Catholic myself part of me understands why they don't want to use their religion e.g., ask the church etc for help, and part of me is a bit, I don't know, angry because, I don't know, the generalisation society is indirectly placing on the young mum to be makes the family feel like they can't turn to anyone for help, if that makes sense.

PZ - thanks hun, that is sweet, I do have a stack of boy and baby girl clothing good to go, just waiting to find out bubs gender and I'll be handing it all over. I also have small baby blankets, wraps etc that DD2 will be grown out of in the next few months too.

N2L - I did actually wonder that myself regarding IM's and I have suggested home birth as an option.

As everything is being relayed, people seem to think I'm best suited to speak to the girl, considering I'm youngish lol, with kids too. I don't know if I'm that well equipped. I've never been in her shoes, I can only imagine what it'd be like, which is nowhere near the same thing. I do have social skills due to my occupation which can be useful, but I'm feeling out of my depth here...

Off to google now. Thanks gorgeous ladies for pointing me towards some great places that may be able to help the mum to be. I really appreciate it :)

apologies for my spelling mistake, I was thinking about lunch at the time.

there's lots of services that aren't Catholic so I wouldn't panic about that.

This website offers some support for the specific situation this girl is in, it could be worth contacting them Advocacy for Immigrants

Great, thanks Traveller :). Off to have a look now.

I've just flicked an email off to the Salvo's, we'll see what response I get.

also worth noting that while her visa may mean the mama is ineligible for support from Medicare and/or Centre link, once the baby is born the baby might be eligible for Centre link payments/concession card and/or medicare due to being born in Australia - she could make an appointment with a Centre link Social Worker to discuss her options. HTH x

The baby may not be an Australian citizen when born. That is dependent on the parents residency status. Info is on the immigration website on Australian citizenship for child born in australia.

Apparently the 2 years is up in Feb 2012 - same month as when baby is born.

Thanks for the info everyone, its been really great :)

Get the media involved! Seriously, the media drum up more public interest than we can. They might be able to raise funds for a private middy, or you would get the attention of a medical group who does cases for free, for publicity etc. Start off at the local newspaper.

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Get the media involved! Seriously, the media drum up more public interest than we can. They might be able to raise funds for a private middy, or you would get the attention of a medical group who does cases for free, for publicity etc. Start off at the local newspaper.

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Ah - they may not want media attention. There's enough ignorance about immigration as it is. This is a young girl who is probably breaking her cultural norms. Hopefully the resources listed can help.