Minister for Health Stephen Donnelly today announced the signing into law of the Health Act 2022, providing free contraception for women aged 17-25 from September this year.
Minister Donnelly recently brought the Bill through the Houses of the Oireachtas and it successfully passed at all stages of the Dáil and the Seanad last week with cross-party support.
Speaking about its success, Minister Donnelly said: "I welcome the good news that the President has signed this very important Act, as the measures provided in this legislation are very much intended to support access to care for those who need it in a manner that is fair and affordable.
"Free contraception is a cost-effective measure, reducing both crisis pregnancy and termination of pregnancy rates.
“Given that the costs of prescription contraception are typically faced by women, the scheme will impact positively on gender equity, reducing costs for women, but also benefitting their partners and families, starting with women aged 17-25.
"In the context of current cost-of-living challenges, I am delighted to be able to introduce these 2 significant measures aimed at alleviating cost pressures for individuals and families when seeking to access healthcare."
Those with full eligibility for a medical card already have access to most forms of contraception at a minimal cost while those with a GP visit card are supported to some extent.
Furthermore, the Drugs Payment Scheme covers the cost of prescription items, including LARCs, above a limit of €80 per month.
However, according to officials, it has been recognised that the cost of accessing contraception, specifically for those who are still dependent on parents or guardians, or who are just above the means-tested thresholds for the GMS and GP Visit cards, is likely a burden.
A statement from the government acknowledged that: “Costs for the Pill and similar repeat prescription contraceptives can therefore be estimated at €65-100 every six months, and the initial costs of long-acting reversible contraception, including consultation, purchase of the device and fitting, typically range from €250-€320. If the costs of removal are also included, the costs rise to €340-€470.”
Therefore the contraception scheme will cover the full cost of prescription contraception, including the cost of:
- necessary consultations with medical professionals to discuss suitable contraception options with individual patients and to enable prescription of same
- fitting and/or removal of various types of long-acting reversible contraception (LARCs) plus any necessary checks, by medical professionals certified to fit/remove same
- providing the wide range of contraceptive options currently available to GMS (medical) card holders, which will also be available through this scheme, including contraceptive injections, implants, IUS and IUDs (coils), the contraceptive patch and ring, and various forms of oral contraceptive pill, including emergency contraception
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