Liberals announces $2k IVF help
Women seeking help to have a child will be given greater financial support under an election promise to be announced on Thursday by the Liberals.
Tasmania
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Women seeking help to have a child will be given greater financial support under an election promise to be announced on Thursday by the Liberals.
The state government will pay $2,000 towards the cost of in vitro fertilisation if re-elected at next month’s state election, Premier Jeremy Rockliff said, noting the high cost of the treatment.
“We will assist around 2,500 Tasmanian women with out-of-pocket costs associated with in vitro fertilisation (IVF), other assisted reproductive technology treatments, or fertility preservation services,” Mr Rockliff said.
“We know a growing number of women are accessing fertility treatments, and while costs vary, an IVF cycle could leave women in Tasmania around $3,000 out of pocket.
“We’ll provide a subsidy of up to $2,000 to support women on their journey to motherhood and to ensure more equitable access.”
Medicare, the Extended Medicare Safety Net and private health insurance cover some of the costs for IVF and other assisted reproductive technology treatments.
Tasmania is struggling with the lowest population growth in the nation: 0.33 per cent in the year to the September 2024 quarter.
There were 5,564 babies born in Tasmania in that 12-month period, barely keeping ahead of the 5,370 deaths.
Mr Rockliff said the IVF initiative came on the back of other improvements the governments had implemented in women’s health.
“Women’s health is an absolute priority of our government, and we’re getting on with the job,” he said.
“Over the past week, we’ve already announced four new BreastScreen clinics across the state, as well as funding for women’s health service The Bubble, and we will continue to boost women’s healthcare right across Tasmania.”
Mr Rockliff also promised that a re-elected Liberal government would lobby the Federal Labor Government to subsidise non-invasive prenatal testing.
The blood test screens for certain conditions in a developing baby and currently costs women around $500, with no Medicare rebates.
Originally published as Liberals announces $2k IVF help
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