$573m pledge to improve women’s health

THE Albanese Government has pledged a $573 million funding boost to improve women’s access to long-term contraceptives, menopause support and endometriosis and pelvic pain clinics ahead of the coming federal election.

As part of the package, the federal government will increase the Medicare rebate for the one in ten Australian women who use long-acting contraceptives such as intrauterine contraceptive devices (IUDs) and birth control implants.

The funding is expected to increase uptake of these contraceptive devices, which are considered the most effective option, and save up to $400 in out-of-pocket expenses for around 300,000 women each year.

A new Medicare rebate will similarly be introduced for menopause health assessments, while funding will be provided to health professionals to undertake additional training in menopause and perimenopause, and the number of endometriosis and pelvic pain clinics across Australia will increase by 11 to 33.

The clinics will also be expanded to provide specialist menopause support.

Minister for Health Mark Butler said the funding package will deliver more choice, lower costs and better healthcare for women at all stages of their lives.

“[This] announcement is a tribute to all the Australian women who have worked so hard, for so long, to have their voices heard and acknowledged,” he said.

For the first time in more than three decades, two new oral contraceptive pills – Yaz and Yasmin – will also be listed on the Pharmaceutical Benefits Scheme (PBS), which provides Australians access to a wide-range of subsidised prescription medicines.

They will be joined on the PBS by three new menopausal hormone therapies, Prometrium, Estrogel and Estrogel Pro.

They will be the first new menopause treatments to be added to the PBS in more than 20 years.

These changes to the PBS will take place on March 1, ahead of the federal election, which is still to be announced, but must be held (in its typical full House of Representatives and half Senate format) on or before May 17.

“Our ambition has been to get as many choices onto the PBS as possible and frankly, the PBS has been moving too slowly for Australia’s women,” Mr Butler said.

“We’re going to do everything we can to try and expedite new, cutting-edge medicines for Australia’s women onto the PBS.”

Meanwhile, $100 million will be put towards two national trials, aimed at making it easier and cheaper for women to access over-the-counter contraceptives and treatment for UTIs.

Under the trials, concession cardholders will be able to consult a trained pharmacist for free, only paying for medications if they are required.

Corangamite Labor federal MP Libby Coker said the government’s investment in women’s health would be life-changing for so many Australians.

“From puberty through to menopause, women’s health has long been overlooked and stigmatised.

“It’s time for that to change, and Labor’s investment in women’s health is about driving that change.

“With this investment of over half a billion dollars, we’re taking a stand against the deep-seated medical biases that have held back women’s health for far too long.”

If elected, the Coalition has indicated it will match the funding announcement.