Canada has announced free contraception for women. What’s the situation in Australia?

Reproductive experts and sexual health advocates are calling for a similar change in Australia.

1 April 2024
by Gavin Butler

The Canadian government announced on Saturday that it will soon cover the full cost of common contraceptives for women – including intrauterine devices (IUDs), contraceptive pills and hormonal implants – as part of a major health care reform.

Chrystia Freeland, Canada's deputy prime minister and Minister of Finance, highlighted the financial cost of contraceptives as one of the largest barriers to access, and said that the federal government's universal pharmacare plan would aim to lower that bar for more than nine million Canadian women, whether for reasons of family planning or medical treatment.

Continued: https://www.sbs.com.au/news/article/canada-has-announced-free-contraception-for-women-whats-the-situation-in-australia/uxw4zqb5c

Canada – Deal on pharmacare bill has been reached with Liberals ahead of March deadline, NDP says

The legislation is a critical piece of the supply-and-confidence pact between the two parties, in which the NDP agreed to support the Liberals on key votes in the Commons

The Canadian Press
Mickey Djuric, Laura Osman and Mia Rabson
Feb 23, 2024

The federal Liberals and New Democrats have reached a deal that would allow every Canadian with a health card to access free diabetes medication and birth control, the NDP confirmed Friday.

The coverage is to be included in the first piece of a national pharmacare program, with legislation expected to be introduced in the House of Commons next week.

Continued: https://nationalpost.com/news/politics/pharmacare-deal-reached-liberals-ndp

23.02.2024

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Free contraception provision expanded in Ireland

BBC
Mon, January 1, 2024

A scheme offering free contraception in the Republic of Ireland has been expanded. Since its launch in 2022, the programme has offered free contraception to women, girls and people who identify as transgender or non-binary.

Initially open to those aged 17 to 25, the scheme's age limit was increased last year to 30. From Monday, it is also open to women aged 31.

Continued: https://ca.news.yahoo.com/free-contraception-provision-expanded-ireland-084149291.html

01.01.2024

Canada – Women’s health advocates applaud Manitoba’s plan to subsidize prescription birth control

NDP promised universal coverage of select contraceptives during election campaign

CBC News
Nov 22, 2023

Birth control will soon become free for all Manitobans with a prescription, the province announced Tuesday. The announcement, made during Premier Wab Kinew's Tuesday throne speech, makes good on an election promise the NDP campaigned on. The party previously pegged the cost to implement the universal coverage of select contraceptives at $11 million per year.

"Reproductive health care is a right. Our government will protect and affirm Manitobans' right to access abortion services, protect abortion providers and make prescription birth control free," said Tuesday's speech, which was read by Lt.-Gov. Anita Neville in the legislature.

Continued: https://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/manitoba/manitoba-throne-speech-birth-control-1.7035927

22.11.2023

IUD and Women's Clinic

Klinic Community Health

Beyond birth control: The benefits of universal contraception don’t end at pregnancy prevention

Oct 18, 2023
by Humaira Niazi, Jamie Thompson, Emma Skolnik

Last April, British Columbia became the first Canadian province to offer free prescription contraceptives, setting a standard for the rest of Canada. Months later, despite the obvious benefits that extend far beyond family planning purposes, no other Canadian jurisdiction has followed suit.

Costs remain the single greatest barrier to contraceptive access. Advocacy groups remain steadfast as they renew calls for universal contraception access while engaging political leaders in the discussion to end inequitable access to reproductive health care in Canada.

Continued: https://healthydebate.ca/2023/10/topic/birth-control-benefits-universal-contraception/

18.10.2023

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Ireland – Calls for Government to make contraception more accessible

It follows the recent expansion of the free contraception scheme for young women between 17 and 30.

SUN, 03 SEP, 2023
DONAL O’KEEFFE

THE Irish Pharmacy Union is calling on the Government to make contraception more accessible by offering more over the counter solutions for those seeking birth control. It follows the recent expansion of the free contraception scheme for young women between 17 and 30.

While the organisation welcomed the move, representatives are still urging the government to make it easier and faster for young women to avail of the scheme.

Continued: https://www.echolive.ie/corknews/arid-41218435.html

03.09.2023

Canada – Free, universal access to birth control a top goal for Ottawa researcher helming national gynecological society

The movement for improved access to contraception in Canada has been growing in recent years.

Elizabeth Payne
Jun 22, 2023

Ottawa obstetrician and researcher Dr. Amanda Black has big plans, and she will devote part of the next year to getting them moving. For one, she wants to see contraception offered to people at no cost across the country.

Black, who was recently elected president of the Society of Obstetricians and Gynaecologists of Canada (SOGC) for a one-year term, says the issue has been well studied and research shows that when cost is removed as a barrier, patients are more likely to use longer-acting, more effective forms of contraception. Removing the cost, she said, helps improve choice.

Continued: https://ottawacitizen.com/news/local-news/free-universal-access-to-birth-control-a-top-goal-for-ottawa-researcher-helming-national-gynecological-society

22.06.2023

Society of Obstetricians and Gynaecologists of Canada

Calls for Australia to make contraception free following similar moves by British Columbia, parts of Europe

ABC Radio Perth / By Alicia Bridges
April 12, 2023

As parts of Europe and Canada start to provide free access to contraception, women's rights and sexual health advocates are trying to build momentum toward a similar change in Australia.

Last month, British Columbia became the first Canadian province to make prescription contraception free for all residents. It joined the United Kingdom, Ireland and France as jurisdictions providing free access to prescription birth control — either for all residents or certain age groups.

Continued: https://www.abc.net.au/news/2023-04-13/calls-for-australia-to-make-contraception-free/102198058

12.04.2023

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Luxembourg to Offer Free Contraception from 2023

The idea dates back even to Antiquity, but how feasible is it?

March 24, 2023
By NNN

tarting on 1 April 2023, a host of contraceptives in Luxembourg will become completely free, including the morning-after pill. Indeed, according to an official statement, people will be able to get a 100% reimbursement for the morning-after pill, even if they do not have a prescription.

Moreover, the reimbursement is not tied to age, meaning that the policy will aim to provide universal contraceptive health coverage.

Continued: https://nnn.ng/luxembourg-to-offer-free-contraception-from-2023/

24.03.2023

News

Claude Haagen

European Contraception Atlas

Could free birth control be on the horizon in Ontario?

British Columbia will soon fully cover hormone-based contraception — and Ontario advocates are hoping this province will follow suit

Written by Diane Peters
Mar 15, 2023

Several times a month, a client at the SHORE Centre in Kitchener admits they can’t afford to pay for their birth control.

And SHORE’s executive director, TK Pritchard, suspects many more clients have a hard time paying for their birth control. “We know people who are choosing between buying food that week and getting their birth control,” Pritchard says. “Sometimes they tell us; sometimes they don’t.”

Continued: https://www.tvo.org/article/could-free-birth-control-be-on-the-horizon-in-ontario https://www.tvo.org/article/could-free-birth-control-be-on-the-horizon-in-ontario