Canberrans are to have access to safe, accessible and affordable abortion services with funding announced for free medical and surgical abortions up to 16 weeks.
Announcing the funding, Minister for Women, Yvette Berry said that from early next year, all ACT residents would be eligible for the service, including those without a Medicare card.
“This investment is the latest action by the ACT Government to protect the rights of women and people who can become pregnant,” Ms Berry said.
“The funding enables them to make decisions about their health care based on what is best for them and their bodies,” she said.
“By removing the cost barriers for abortions, we are improving access to affordable and accessible health services across the ACT, in line with the ACT Women’s Plan 2016-26.”
Ms Berry said individuals would be supported to make a choice about having an abortion without being influenced by financial barriers.
The Minister said the allocation meant that having an abortion could occur in a time sensitive manner without being delayed due to an inability to pay.
Minister for Health, Rachel Stephen-Smith said one of the most significant barriers to accessing safe abortion services in the ACT was the out-of-pocket costs.
“With one in three women estimated to experience an unexpected pregnancy in their lifetime, it is essential that these services are safe, affordable and accessible, regardless of how much money you have,” Ms Stephen-Smith said.
“This commitment upholds the rights of people to access affordable health care when and where they need it.”
Ms Stephen-Smith said that from early next year, people accessing abortion services would also be able to receive free long-acting reversible contraceptives at the time of abortion, which had been shown to reduce demand for abortion.
She said the funding would also support the development of communications to improve awareness of abortion services.
