Peter Bevan-Baker Announces Plan for Free Access to Contraceptive Care

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

March 15, 2023

Bonshaw, PE - Cost should never be a barrier to healthcare. That’s why a Green government will provide Islanders with free access to birth control, including oral contraceptives and intrauterine devices.

Unintended pregnancies come with significant costs. These include personal costs, like foregoing further education and reduced lifetime earnings, as well as the cost of raising a child. They also include the public cost of delivering healthcare. One study estimated the direct cost of unintended pregnancies in Canada was over $320 million. (source)

Free contraceptive care is a smart, early investment to minimize the costs associated with unintended pregnancies and is supported by organizations like the Canadian Paediatric Society.

The Green Party has consistently called for greater access to contraceptive care, including through legislative motions in 2019 and 2022 which were passed by the Legislative Assembly.

The Green Party will make a further announcement on pharmacare investments in the coming days.

Quotes:

“Investing in free contraceptive care for Islanders is an excellent way to not only improve healthcare access but to reduce costs for both Islanders and our healthcare system. Greens believe that early investments are key to improving health outcomes and controlling costs, and this commitment is a perfect example.”

Peter Bevan-Baker, Leader of the Green Party of PEI

-30-

For media inquiries, please contact:
Jonathan Hamel
Director of Communications
Green Party of PEI
Tel: (902) 916-7816
Email: jonathan.hamel@greenparty.pe.ca