Allowing more medical practitioners and pharmacists to supply the abortion pill is a huge step forward in improving access to reproductive choice, but the Government should now make the abortion pill free of charge.
Today’s announcement is a welcome move on one of the recommendations made by the multipartisan Senate inquiry into Universal access to reproductive healthcare.
But the Committee report set out a comprehensive plan for improving access to reproductive, sexual and maternity healthcare for everyone, and it’s time to see action from Labor to get all 36 recommendations implemented.
As stated by Greens leader in the Senate and spokesperson on Women, Senator Larissa Waters
“Abortion is legal and basic healthcare. People shouldn’t have to jump through endless hoops and spend a fortune to access one.
“Today’s decision to allow all doctors and nurse practitioners to prescribe the pregnancy termination pill, and all pharmacies to stock it, will improve access for women and pregnant people, particularly in regional and remote parts of the country.
“This announcement will go a long way to improving access, but financial barriers remain and the Greens want to see zero out of pocket costs for abortion, whether medical or surgical.
“The Greens will continue to push for medical and surgical abortion to be free and available no matter where you live.
“It is disappointing to see midwives not included in today’s announcement. Midwives are skilled healthcare professionals and we heard clear evidence throughout the inquiry of how integral their work is to delivering continuity of care.
“The Senate inquiry revealed the scale of work needed to achieve universal access to abortion, contraception, sexual healthcare, and maternity services in Australia, and we need to see action from Labor to get all the report recommendations implemented now.”
