Australian women will save hundreds of dollars a year thanks to a $573 million government package aimed at supporting women’s health, including the first new oral contraceptive pill to be listed on the PBS in over 30 years, as well as expanded Medicare support for women going through menopause.

Unveiled yesterday, the package includes:

• The first PBS listing for new oral contraceptive pills in more than 30 years, with the listing of Yaz® and Yasmin® set to save 50,000 women hundreds of dollars a year. Women who would otherwise pay around $380 per year will now pay $126.40 a year, or $30.80 a year with a concession card, from 1 March.
• Larger Medicare payments and more bulk billing for intrauterine contraceptive devices (IUDs) and birth control implants, saving around 300,000 women a year up to $400 in out-of-pocket costs. The current Medicare rebate for the insertion of an IUD is about $91 but would be lifted to more than $215 under the plan.
• More support for women experiencing menopause, including 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 about 150,000 women set to save hundreds of dollars each year from the listing of Prometrium®, Estrogel® and Estrogel® Pro. Women who typically pay between $400 and $670 a year will soon pay a maximum of $31.60 per month, or $7.70 with a concession card. Women on these therapies will save up to $290 per year, or $577 with a concession card.
• Opening 11 new endometriosis and pelvic pain clinics that treat more conditions, with all 33 clinics staffed to provide specialist support for menopause.
• Contraceptives and treatment for uncomplicated UTIs accessed directly from pharmacies, with two national trials, costing $100 million, to benefit 250,000 concession card holders, who will be able to consult a trained pharmacist at not cost and, if medications are needed, pay only the usual medicine cost.
  
  

Some of the raft of measures will take effect 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.
However, other commitments will be implemented if the Albanese Government is re-elected at the upcoming federal election. The Coalition has also matched the $573.3 million women’s health plan, if it wins 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.

The five-year investment by the federal government was shaped by increasing consultation with women, including the findings of two separate Senate inquiries.

“Women have asked government to take their healthcare seriously, and we have listened, Finance and Women Minister, Katy Gallagher, said.

“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.”

Assistant Health Minister Ged Kearney said the government’s investment would help shift the dial on an entrenched culture of medical misogyny, alleviating pain, reducing delays in diagnosis, and transforming menopause care.

“From our first periods as young girls to menopause in older age, women’s health has been shrouded in shame and stigma,” Ms Kearney said.
 “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.”