In-patient charges for under-16s scrapped and free contraception for some women in Republic
- Published
In-patient charges for under 16s are to be scrapped and free contraception is to be provided to women aged 17-25 in the Republic of Ireland.
Currently, there is a 鈧80 per night charge for most non-exempt public patients, including children and there is a small charge for contraception.
The measures are to come into operation by early September 2022.
It passed
"I welcome the good news that the president has signed this very important Act,鈥 said Irish Health Minister Stephen Donnelly .
He added that the legislation was to 鈥渟upport access to care for those who need it in a manner that is fair and affordable".
聽"Abolishing acute in-patient hospital charges for children under 16 is focused towards easing the financial burden of parents or guardians when bringing their child to hospital for in-patient care.
鈥淔ree contraception is a cost-effective measure, reducing both crisis pregnancy and termination of pregnancy rates.
The contraception scheme will cover the full cost of prescription contraception, including the cost of:
Necessary consultations with medical professionals to discuss suitable contraception options with individual patients and to enable prescription of same.
Fitting and/or removal of various types of long-acting reversible contraception (LARCs) plus any necessary checks, by medical professionals certified to fit/remove same.
Providing the wide range of contraceptive options currently available to GMS (medical) card holders, which will also be available through this scheme, including contraceptive injections, implants, IUS and IUDs (coils), the contraceptive patch and ring, and various forms of oral contraceptive pill, including emergency contraception.
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