The Albanese Labor government has announced $573.3 million aimed at improving women’s healthcare, and expanded Medicare support.
The five-year package includes new subsidies for contraceptives, menopause treatment, and endometriosis care, with some measures taking effect immediately.
The government is set to introduce new oral contraceptive pills under the Pharmaceutical Benefits Scheme (PBS) for the first time in over 30 years. The pills, Yaz and Yasmin, will help 50,000 women save hundreds of dollars each year, the government states in its release.
Medicare will also provide extra rebates for long-term contraceptives. These include intrauterine devices (IUDs) and birth control implants. This change could help 300,000 women save up to $400 in out-of-pocket expenses.
Support for menopause care will also increase. New Medicare rebates will cover menopause health assessments.
Funding will be provided to train healthcare professionals. The government will also introduce national clinical guidelines and launch an awareness campaign.
In addition, new menopausal hormone therapies will be listed on the PBS for the first time in over 20 years. These include Prometrium, Estrogel, and Estrogel Pro. Around 150,000 women could benefit from these new treatments.
The package expands endometriosis and pelvic pain clinics, bringing the total to 33 nationwide and broadening their scope to include menopause support.
Two national pharmacy trials will enable concession cardholders to receive contraceptives and treatment for uncomplicated urinary tract infections (UTIs) directly from trained pharmacists at reduced costs.
Election Battle Over Medicare and Bulk Billing
Health funding is shaping up to be a key issue in the upcoming federal election, with Labor attacking the Coalition over potential cuts to Medicare.Health Minister Mark Butler said the latest reforms were necessary, criticising the lack of PBS-listed contraceptives and menopause treatments under previous governments.
“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,” Butler said.
The PBS is a taxpayer-backed program aimed at helping cover a portion of the costs of prescription medicines.
Shadow Health Minister Anne Ruston said Labor’s claims were incorrect.
The Coalition claims that Medicare bulk billing rates were stronger under its leadership, with an average rate of 86.15 percent compared to 78.75 percent under Labor. In its final year, the GP bulk billing rate was 88.3 percent, whereas it has now dropped to 77.3 percent, a decline of 11 percent.
The Coalition also argues that it delivered 167.2 million free GP services in its last year—61 million more than the previous Labor government—and that Medicare funding increased annually, rising from $18.6 billion in 2012–13 to over $30 billion in 2021–22.
The Coalition has also highlighted the record of Opposition Leader Peter Dutton during his tenure as health minister (2013–2014).
Dutton is credited with creating the Medical Research Future Fund, now valued at $22 billion, which has financed medical advancements, including the development of the world’s first durable Total Artificial Heart, recently transplanted in Brisbane.
