Abortions are expensive and, for many women, difficult to access. These challenges are only heightened during the coronavirus pandemic.
A study published in 2017 reported after the Medicare rebate, a first trimester abortion costs, on average:
- A$560 for a medical abortion, which involves taking two medications 24-48 hours apart (currently available to nine weeks’ gestation)
- A$470 for a surgical abortion.
With the exception of South Australia and the Northern Territory, most public hospitals around Australia don’t provide abortions.
[T]he COVID-19 crisis has revealed we need longer-term investments to ensure women can access this essential and time-sensitive procedure.
This will entail a commitment to the public provision of abortion, including within public hospitals, and the systemic training of health professionals in abortion care.
Source: Getting an abortion just got harder, thanks to the coronavirus. Here’s what we can do better