The Albanese government has announced a significant investment of $573.3 million in women’s health today, aiming to provide more choices, lower costs, and improve healthcare access for women across the country.
Key measures in the package include:
- The first listing of new oral contraceptive pills on the Pharmaceutical Benefits Scheme (PBS) in over 30 years, including Yaz® and Yasmin®, potentially saving 50,000 women hundreds of dollars annually.
- Increased Medicare support for long-term contraceptives, including higher payments and expanded bulk billing for IUDs and birth control implants, which could reduce out-of-pocket costs by up to $400 for around 300,000 women per year.
- A new Medicare rebate for menopause health assessments, training for healthcare professionals, national awareness campaigns, and the first-ever clinical guidelines to support women experiencing menopause.
- The first PBS listing of new menopausal hormone therapies in over 20 years, including Prometrium®, Estrogel®, and Estrogel® Pro, benefiting around 150,000 women with reduced costs.
- Expansion of endometriosis and pelvic pain clinics, including the opening of 11 new clinics and additional specialist support for menopause care at existing locations.
- Two national pharmacy trials enabling direct access to contraceptives and treatment for uncomplicated UTIs, allowing 250,000 concession cardholders to consult pharmacists at no cost, with standard medicine costs applying if needed.
Some measures, such as the PBS listings for contraceptives and menopausal hormone therapy, will take effect immediately. Other initiatives are expected to be implemented following the next election cycle.
This five-year investment has been shaped by consultations with women, healthcare providers, advocacy groups, and findings from the National Women’s Health Advisory Council and two Senate inquiries. The government plans to table its response to both inquiries this week.
Women’s Minister Katy Gallagher stated that the investment aims to address longstanding gaps in women’s healthcare, providing more options and reducing financial burdens. While Assistant Health Minister Ged Kearney highlighted the significance of addressing stigmas and medical misogyny surrounding women’s health and ensuring improved care throughout different life stages.
“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,” she said.
The funding package has been met with support from various healthcare organisations and advocacy groups. Caroline Mulcahy, Chair of the Family Planning Alliance, described the investment as a crucial step toward improving reproductive healthcare access and affordability.
While Australia’s most decorated female mountaineer Allie Pepper praised the funding package, sharing her personal experience of struggling with severe menopause symptoms that threatened her career. After finding effective hormone therapy, she was able to continue in her sport.
“Adding modern menopause therapies to the PBS is fantastic news. It will bring a huge smile to the faces of so many women and everyone who cares about them”, she said.
“This is an important step to reducing the ‘pink tax’ faced by Australian women, which greatly exacerbates cost-of-living challenges.”
Pepper’s current goal is to summit all 14 of the world’s 8,000-meter peaks without supplemental oxygen within three years, setting a world record. Since July 2023, she has completed five 8,000-meter summits without oxygen, achieving multiple Australian records.
The government’s investment represents a significant step in addressing women’s healthcare challenges. As these measures are rolled out, their impact on women’s health outcomes will be closely monitored.