Part of healthcare reform
Canada wants to cover contraceptive costs for women
March 31, 2024, 7:24 a.m
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Currently, women in Canada have to spend up to 500 Canadian dollars a year on contraception. According to the government’s wishes, this should change in the future. But there are also opposing voices.
The Canadian government wants to make contraceptives free for women. The cost of the most commonly used pregnancy prevention methods will be covered for Canada’s nine million women of reproductive age, Deputy Prime Minister Chrystia Freeland said at a news conference at a Toronto pharmacy. These included IUDs, hormone implants, the birth control pill or the morning after pill.
“Women should be free to choose the contraceptives they need without the cost getting in their way,” Prime Minister Justin Trudeau said on the online service X. “That’s why we’re making contraceptives free.”
In Canada, the birth control pill costs up to 300 Canadian dollars (205 euros) a year, according to the government. The hormonal coil can therefore cost up to $500 each.
The timing is still unclear
The move is the first part of a comprehensive health care reform in Canada. It also plans to cover the cost of diabetes medications for around 3.7 million Canadians. The cost and timing of the launch were not initially disclosed.
The government in Ottawa must obtain approval from the provinces responsible for health. Alberta and Quebec have already declared that they do not want to take part.