More than half a billion dollars will be invested to lower the cost of women’s health care.
Federal Health Minister Mark Butler said the $573.3 million package, to be spent over five years, would also deliver more choice.
Minister Butler said the package of measures included:
- 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.
He said the PBS listing of the contraceptive pills and menopausal hormone therapies would come into effect immediately, with other measures to be implemented after the yet-to-be called Federal election.
Access the funding package factsheet.
