Circumcision: Time to deinsure?

Charles Wright is certainly on firm ground when he calls for a reduction in the demand for unnecessary and unproven medical services.1

One measure that could easily be taken is to stop providing an insurance benefit for nontherapeutic infant circumcision. The Canadian Paediatric Society has discouraged male circumcision since 19752 and now says it should not be performed in the absence of a medical indication.3 Although there is no medical indication in the newborn period,2^,4 the Manitoba Health Insurance Plan, alone among Canadian health insurance plans, continues to provide a benefit for this outmoded surgery.

By withdrawing funds for nontherapeutic neonatal circumcisions (effective July 1, 2002), Arizona now has joined 6 other American states in denying funding.5 Arizona expects to reduce demand by about 12 000 nontherapeutic operations a year. Surely, it is time for the Manitoba authorities to review their schedule of benefits and eliminate payments for such unnecessary procedures. Doctors everywhere should discourage circumcision.

George Hill Executive Secretary Doctors Opposing Circumcision Seattle, Wash.