Free HRT in Budget 2025 a gamechanger for women’s health – Byrne

Making Hormone Replacement Therapy (HRT) free in Budget 2025 shows Government commitment to women’s health, a Fine Gael Senator said.

Fine Gael Senator Maria Byrne, who is running for Fine Gael in Limerick City, said providing free HRT will be a major saving for so many women.

“I raised this issue last week in the Seanad and I’m delighted to see this measure has been introduced.

“HRT is used by many women to relieve the symptoms of menopause, something that affects women in different ways and can be debilitating for some women.

“Currently, HRT is free for medical card holders, but women without a medical card face costs ranging from €30 to €70 a month.

“From talking to people on the ground we have seen just how much of a financial strain this has been. Now they can be reassured that their costs will be significantly lowered.

“With this new measure, we will help fund the cost of medicines, patches, and devices that will benefit women across Ireland.

“This scheme will save women between €360 and €840 a year. This is a huge saving that will mean so much to so many.

“Budget 2025 shows Fine Gael is committed to delivering a clear path for the future of our health system, ensuring better quality of life for women across the country.

“We have been making real progress with improvements in the health sector; waiting lists for outpatient care are falling and significant improvements are being made in the average length of time that patients are waiting.

“This progress is reflected in the fact that our life expectancy is now one of the highest in the EU.

“Free HRT is a key step in improving the lives of women right across the country. No woman should be suffering in silence and this measure will provide greater access to this vital therapy,” concluded Senator Byrne.