There have been some really positive steps towards improving access to women’s reproductive health services across Australia, including those recently made by the TGA and promised as part of the Victorian election campaign.
Improvements for MS-2 Step use
Tasmanians can already benefit from the TGA’s approval of 2 improvements for use of the medicine MS-2 Step for medical terminations (MTOP) which came into effect on 21 October. These include:
- The extended use of MS-2 Step for medication termination of pregnancy (MTOP) up to 70 days' gestation (an increase from 9 weeks to 10)
- Use of MS-2 Step for medical management of missed miscarriage up to 10 weeks
These improvements will give women more choice and control over their reproductive health options.
The PBS has not yet approved the inclusion of MS-2 Step for these purposes, but we are hopeful that will happen before the end of 2026. In the meantime, the price of this medication for the extended use will be at full cost to women across Australia.
In Tasmania, some of these costs can be covered by the WHT administered Women’s Health Fund. Find out more about fund eligibility
Promises of fully subsidised MTOP and STOP in Victoria
In other good news, during the Victorian election campaign, both the Victorian Labor and Liberal parties have committed to fully-subsidising both medication (MTOP) and surgical (STOP) abortions.
While surgical abortions are already cost free in Tasmania’s public health system, medication abortions are not yet fully subsidised. WHT has made this recommendation to the Tasmanian government for some years and it is supported by the recommendations of the Select Committee on Reproductive, Maternal and Paediatric Health Services in Tasmania. Read the Select Committee Report
We’re pleased that Victoria is setting the standard as we continue to campaign for no cost abortions in Tasmania.
Hobart Private Hospital sale
But not all the news is positive.
We continue to wait for information about dates and service pathways for services that Calvary Health Care will not deliver following its acquisition of the Hobart Private Hospital.
The Tasmanian government has guaranteed that alternative pathways will be found for the full range of reproductive and gender affirming services that are at risk as a result this sale.
News from interstate confirms that Calvary Health Care’s hospital takeovers result in an end to access to surgical terminations, gender affirming surgeries, IVF and a range of contraceptive surgeries such as hysterectomies and tubal ligations. It is up to State governments to find solutions for these failures of the private health system.
WHT continues to advise and advocate to the Tasmanian government for the continuation of access to these services and we will keep you updated as information becomes available.
Kelly Bruce
CEO