‘Challenging disease’: Group’s $7k promise from Victorian Liberal Party

Victorians would save $7000 on a medical procedure affecting thousands in the state should this party win the next election.

Victorian women could soon have easier access to egg freezing services under an election promise put forward by the Liberal Party.

The party is promising to remove out-of-pocket costs for the collection and initial storage of eggs for women with cancer or conditions such as severe endometriosis if elected.

Party leader Matthew Guy said the plan would save women and their families up to $7000 as they battle health woes.

Opposition health spokeswoman Georgie Crozier said the plan would help 3000 Victorian women. Picture NCA NewsWire / Ian Currie

“For many women, the choice to start a family is dramatically impacted when they are being treated for cancer or conditions such as severe endometriosis,” Mr Guy said.

“Not only are they faced with a challenging disease, but they also have to deal with questions over their fertility and the potential expense of fertility procedures.

“We will help where we can by ensuring these women can future-proof the choice to have a family by removing the entire out-of-pocket cost of collecting and storing eggs.”

Opposition health spokeswoman Georgie Crozier said the rebate would result in to $7000 to around 3000 Victorian women with existing medical conditions.

Egg freezing can often set women back thousands of dollars.

“While this is only a modest and very targeted investment, it will have an enormous impact on those women who need it,” she said.

“Every year around 750 Victorian women freeze their eggs for medical reasons, and this number is growing.”

The Medicare rebate only covers less than half of the total cost of the collection of eggs and initial storage costs for women with conditions affecting their fertility.