Canberra women will have better access to safe, accessible and affordable abortion services as the ACT Government has agreed to fund free medical and surgical abortions up to 16 weeks’ gestation.
From early next year, all ACT residents will be eligible for this service, including those without a Medicare card.
The Government is investing more than $4.6 million over four years to remove out-of-pocket costs, an ACT Government spokesperson said.
“This investment is the latest action by the ACT Government to protect the rights of women and people who can become pregnant,” they said. “The funding enables them to make decisions about their health care based on what is best for them and their bodies.”
Yvette Berry, Deputy Chief Minister and Minister for Women, said the new funding continued the ACT Government’s commitment to ensuring the right for Canberra women to access safe abortion services.
“Improving the affordability of abortions and addressing any potential inequity in accessing abortion services has long been a goal of the ACT Government,” Ms Berry 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.
“This means that individuals will be supported to make a choice about having an abortion without being influenced by financial barriers. It also means that having an abortion can occur in a time sensitive manner without being delayed due to an inability to pay.
“This commitment follows on other ACT Government actions to improve the rights of women in accessing abortion services, including the decriminalisation of abortion services in 2002, the banning of protestors in 2016, and legislation to improve access to medical abortions in 2019.”
Health Minister Rachel Stephen-Smith said she was proud the ACT continues to implement changes that improve access to safe and legal abortions.
“One of the most significant barriers to accessing safe abortion services in the ACT has been the out-of-pocket costs,” Ms Stephen-Smith said.
One in three women is estimated to experience an unexpected pregnancy in her lifetime.
“It is essential that these services are safe, affordable, and accessible, regardless of how much money you have.
“This commitment upholds the rights of people to access affordable health care when and where they need it.”
Lauren Anthes, CEO of Women’s Health Matters, said it was important for everyone who cares about bodily autonomy and reproductive justice to continue pushing for universal, affordable access to abortion.
“We welcome this funding initiative to support anyone to access free surgical abortion within the existing gestational limits in the ACT,” Ms Anthes said.
“Timely access is vital as services become more expensive and harder to access over time. This funding will help people access surgical abortion as soon as possible.”
Women accessing abortion services can receive free, long-acting, reversible contraceptives at the time of abortion, which reduces demand for abortion. Funding will support the development of communications to improve awareness of abortion services.
The ACT Government will work with service providers on arrangements to cover the out-of-pocket costs for women accessing abortion services in the ACT. This work is expected to be completed during the first half of 2023.
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