‘Long neglected’: Labor pledges $573m to boost women’s health

The Albanese government has unveiled a $573m pledge to boost women’s health just months out from the looming federal election.

The Albanese government is pledging to add new oral contraceptives to the list of federally subsidised medicines for the first time in three decades.

The promise is part of a suite of women’s health policies worth $573m announced on Sunday, which also includes boosts to Medicare rebates for women getting long-term contraceptives, such as IUDs.

It would also create a medical rebate for menopause health assessments.

Spruiking the female-focused pitch to voters, Labor minister Anika Wells said women’s health “has been long neglected”.

Labor Minister Anika Wells says women’s health “has been long neglected”. NewsWire / Sarah Marshall

“The ability to go to a chemist and get an oral contraceptive or UTI treatment is something that people desperately need when we know young women increasingly don’t even have a regular GP,” she told Sky News.

“So that’s a really important cost of living initiative, let alone the fact that there hasn’t been an oral contraceptive added to the PBS in more than 30 years.”

Labor’s proposal would add oral contraceptives Yaz and Yasmin to the Pharmaceutical Benefits Scheme (PBS).

Meanwhile, the Medicare rebate for inserting an IUD would be lifted from about $91 to around $215.

Both oral and long-term contraceptives can help manage painful periods and endometriosis.

The Albanese government will subsidise two new oral contraceptives for the first time in 30 years. Picture: Supplied

The Albanese government would also add 11 new endometriosis and pelvic pain clinics across the country, raising the number of clinics from 22 to 33.

The clinics would also include support for menopause.

Opposition frontbencher Michaelia Cash said the Coalition would support the Albanese government’s proposal and pledged to “match the announcement” if it won government.

Originally published as ‘Long neglected’: Labor pledges $573m to boost women’s health