Australia Announces $573 Million Women’s Health Subsidy Package

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The Australian federal government has introduced a substantial $573 million subsidy package aimed at improving women’s health, particularly focusing on contraceptive pills and hormone replacement therapies. This initiative marks the first inclusion of new contraceptive pills in the Pharmaceutical Benefits Scheme (PBS) in decades, offering potential savings of up to $400 for approximately 300,000 women, according to the minister for women and finance, Katy Gallagher.

The comprehensive package also enhances Medicare payments for intrauterine devices and birth control implants, with new rebates beginning on July 1, 2025. Treatments for menopause, such as Estrogel, Promentrium, and Estrogel Pro, will be available on the PBS, saving women nearly $290 annually, or $577 for those with a concession card. Gallagher stated, “These are really good investments into women’s health” but acknowledged that improvements are still needed.

The opposition, led by shadow cabinet minister Michaelia Cash, has expressed support for the initiative, describing it as an extension of previous health strategies. Medical experts have praised the move as a significant step forward for women’s access to necessary healthcare.

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