From menopause to IUDs, Labor woos female voters with $500m health bundle

Labor has promised women will pay less for healthcare from their very first period to menopause under a whopping $500m announcement ahead of the election.

Anthony Albanese will head to the polls looking to woo female voters of all ages with a $570m bundle of new promises to support women’s health including cheaper contraceptives and new menopause checks.

Labor will today announce it will open 11 new clinics for endometriosis and menopause and expand a popular state government plan nationally that will allow women to buy contraceptives and get UTI treatments at the chemist.

Doctors and nurses will be paid 150 per cent more to give women long-term contraceptives like the IUD — saving patients $400 in out of pocket costs.

Two new contraceptive pills have been added to the PBS. Picture: supplied

Healthcare workers will also be trained in how to give women IUDs at eight new “excellence centres” after confronting media reports that patients were left traumatised after being given the excruciatingly painful treatment without anaesthesia.

For the first time, a new Medicare rebate will be introduced to allow GPs to see women for a “menopause health assessment” while doctors will be given new funding to learn about menopause and perimenopause including brand new national guidelines.

Women’s Minister Katy Gallagher said Labor’s policies would save women thousands of dollars over the course of their lives.

Prime Minister Anthony Albanese, with female MPs and senators, will try to woo female voters with a $570m bundle of new promises to support women’s health. Picture: Martin Ollman

“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,” Ms Gallagher said.

In addition to the election pledges, Labor will make common women’s medicine cheaper from March 1 — ahead of a federal election expected in April or May.

Menopause drugs will become available on the pharmaceutical benefits scheme for the first time in two decades while two new contraceptive pills will be added to the scheme, the only new additions in more than 30 years.

Doctors will be trained in how to properly implant the IUD after reports of horror stories about the common procedure.

A NSW program from the former Coalition government will be expanded nationally to allow more women to access contraceptives and urinary tract infection treatment at chemists.

Other states and territories have similar programs but the national scheme will allow it to be more consistently available across the nation.

Health Minister Mark Butler said the investments were long overdue.

“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,” he said.

Assistant Health Minister Ged Kearney added that women were forced to feel ashamed of their health issues.

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

Originally published as From menopause to IUDs, Labor woos female voters with $500m health bundle