The Albanese Labor Government is building Australia’s future and strengthening Medicare, today announcing $573.3 million to deliver more choice, lower costs and better health care for women.
The package of measures includes:
- The first PBS listing for new oral contraceptive pills in more than 30 years, with the listing of Yaz® and Yasmin® saving 50,000 women hundreds of dollars a year.
- More choice, lower costs and better access to long-term contraceptives, with larger Medicare payments and more bulk billing for IUDs and birth control implants saving around 300,000 women a year up to $400 in out-of-pocket costs.
- More Medicare support for women experiencing menopause, with a new Medicare rebate for menopause health assessments, funding to train health professionals, the first-ever clinical guidelines and a national awareness campaign.
- The first PBS listing for new menopausal hormone therapies in over 20 years, with around 150,000 women saving hundreds of dollars a year from the listing of Prometrium®, Estrogel® and Estrogel® Pro.
- More endometriosis and pelvic pain clinics treating more conditions, opening 11 new clinics and ensuring all 33 clinics are staffed to provide specialist support for menopause.
- Contraceptives and treatment for uncomplicated UTIs directly from pharmacies, with two national trials to benefit 250,000 concession cardholders who will be able to consult a trained pharmacist at no cost and, if medications are required, pay only the usual medicine cost.
Some measures will take effect almost immediately, like the PBS listing of the first new contraceptive pills in more than 30 years, and the first new menopausal hormone therapies in more than 20 years.
Other measures will be implemented following the re-election of the Albanese Labor Government.
Further details about the package of measures, including who will benefit can be found in the More choice, lower costs and better health care for women – fact sheet, on the health.gov.au website.
This five-year investment by the Albanese Labor Government has been informed by extensive consultation with women, healthcare providers, advocacy groups, the work of the National Women’s Health Advisory Council, and the findings of two separate Senate inquiries.
The Government’s response to both Senate inquiries will be tabled this week.
Quotes attributable to Minister Gallagher:
“Women have asked government to take their healthcare seriously, and we have listened.
“Our investment of more than half a billion dollars will deliver more choice, lower costs, and better healthcare for women at all stages of their lives.
“These changes could save women and their families thousands of dollars across their lifetimes.
“Whether it’s saving hundreds of dollars on contraceptives, opening more endo and pelvic pain clinics, or ensuring more reliable support for women going through menopause – this comprehensive package will deliver for millions of women and their families.”
Quotes attributable to Minister Butler:
“With no new contraceptive pill or menopausal hormone therapy added to the PBS in decades, it was clear the PBS wasn’t working for women.
"That’s why I asked our medicines experts to find a way to right that wrong.
“It’s about time Australian women had more choice, lower costs and better health care.
“Today’s announcement is a tribute to all the Australian women who have worked so hard, for so long, to have their voices heard and acknowledged.”
Quotes attributable to Assistant Minister Kearney:
“From our first periods as young girls to menopause in older age, women’s health has been shrouded in shame and stigma. I’m proud to be part of an Albanese Labor Government that stands up for women and says this is not good enough, and it never has been.
"Women deserve choice and control when it comes to their healthcare needs, and they deserve a healthcare system that understands and responds to these needs as they change throughout their lives.
“This investment in women's health of over half a billion dollars will shift the dial on an entrenched culture of medical misogyny – we’re talking about alleviating pain, reducing delays in diagnosis, avoiding unplanned pregnancies, and transforming menopause care.”