How Australia’s rising healthcare costs are forcing women to choose between wellbeing and survival
Impossible choices: The reality many Australian women face
Imagine standing at the pharmacy counter, holding prescriptions for essential medications, just to realise you can only afford one. For too many Australian women, this isn’t an occasional setback. It’s a monthly reality that forces impossible choices between health and financial survival.
With healthcare costs outpacing wage growth and everyday expenses mounting, many women are making difficult compromises with their wellbeing. If these struggles sound familiar, know you’re not alone, and there are pathways toward both personal solutions and collective change.
Medication costs creating an unfair burden
Essential medications should be accessible to everyone. Yet for many women, their price tags turn them into unaffordable luxuries. The consequences can be profound: skipping doses, stretching prescriptions, or abandoning treatment altogether – not by choice, but by financial necessity.
This isn’t affecting just a small minority. A staggering 27% of Australian women regularly skip treatments for chronic conditions like diabetes, asthma, or hypertension because they simply can’t afford them.
Recent changes to the Pharmaceutical Benefits Scheme (PBS) are offering some relief, with medications like Empagliflozin for type 2 diabetes and subsidies for hormone therapies, are helping make things more affordable. Labor has also committed to keeping PBS co-payments at $25. Ensuring these commitments are upheld will be crucial in improving access to affordable medications.
What you can do:
- Advocate for more affordable medication by sharing your story with your local MP. Community support groups and local programs can also help push for reform.
- Explore bulk-billing pharmacies or community programs offering financial assistance for essential treatments.
- Use budgeting tools similar to Penny’s budget calculator to anticipate and prepare for medication expenses.
Specialist care: Breaking barriers to access
Navigating specialist care can feel overwhelming – especially when faced with upfront costs that seem insurmountable. For women managing conditions like endometriosis, menopause, or chronic pain, accessing the right care isn’t optional. It’s essential! But, the upfront costs can be prohibitive, turning necessary healthcare into an unattainable luxury.
Progress is emerging through recent initiatives, including $1.8 billion in additional public hospital funding targeted at reducing wait times and improving specialist service accessibility. Post-election, Labor has promised to expand bulk-billing incentives with an ambitious goal: nine out of ten GP visits bulk-billed by 2030.
What you can do:
- Ask your GP about bulk-billing specialists or clinics with reduced fees. Many community health centres can connect you with affordable options.
- Use budgeting tools similar to Penny’s budget calculator to strategically plan and budget for upcoming specialist appointments.
- Stay informed about policy developments that could enhance healthcare accessibility.
Bridging the mental health affordability gap
Navigating the mental health system can feel like an uphill battle, especially when financial constraints create extra barriers. But your mental health matters and is worth fighting for.
The government’s $1 billion mental health package signals that they recognise the crisis. Labor has also pledged $46 million for a digital mental health service. Advocating for these measures will be essential to ensuring they are implemented and that mental health care remains accessible.
What you can do:
- Seek out bulk-billing counsellors or peer-support groups through community networks. Many local initiatives offer free or reduced-cost mental health resources.
- Explore online mental health platforms that provide accessible, lower-cost support.
- Continue advocating for expanded mental health subsidies and workplace programs that make professional support more affordable.
Hope for a healthier future
Advocating for continued improvements – such as keeping PBS co-payments low, expanding bulk-billing incentives, and increasing mental health funding – remains crucial.
By combining systemic advocacy with practical individual actions, like sharing resources, supporting community initiatives, and helping others navigate the system, we can transform isolation into collective empowerment.
No Australian woman should have to choose between her health and financial security. Together, we can build a healthcare system that truly supports the wellbeing of us all.