Canberra Liberals commit to introducing fertility treatment rebate if elected

ABC NEWS (Australia)

Couples experiencing fertility challenges in the ACT could receive rebates for their treatment if the Canberra Liberals win the ACT election. The opposition has announced a policy similar to a scheme which already operates in New South Wales.

Transcript

00:00An afternoon on the swings, a simple pleasure Sarah and Sean waited years to enjoy.

00:09Tests confirmed they would need help to conceive, a process they knew wouldn't be cheap.

00:14You just hear stories about how expensive IVF can be and how you might need to go through

00:19multiple rounds to be fortunate enough to actually conceive your child.

00:24Three rounds of IVF later and daughter Gigi arrived, now approaching two years old.

00:29As NSW residents living in Gugong they got some financial help but dipped into savings

00:35for the rest.

00:36We were quite lucky in that regard but there'd be some that would be having to remortgage

00:42their houses or get loans and things like that.

00:44The Canberra Liberals policy includes a rebate of up to $2,000 for IVF treatment and $1,000

00:51for intrauterine insemination or IUI.

00:55Both rebates include $250 to help meet the cost of initial fertility testing.

01:02But the money will only be available to people having fertility difficulties.

01:06We hear from families that are struggling with their fertility and believe that that's

01:11the biggest cohort who do need assistance.

01:15That cohort amounts to roughly 1,300 Canberrans every year in a jurisdiction with the highest

01:21average age for first time mothers.

01:24The demographic we have of working professional women and couples are a lot older than our

01:29cohorts in other states.

01:31The last federal election showed the importance of political parties appealing to professional

01:36women so it's no surprise ACT politicians are trying to do the same in the run-up to

01:42the election in October.

01:45The Health Minister says the government is exploring options to make fertility treatment

01:49more affordable.

01:51Local leaders well aware some things can't be bought.

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