Conceivable Dreams: You’re With Me!

I’ll be honest.

When I first wrote about Conceivable Dreams: OHIP for IVF last week, I was not entirely sure what the response would be. I knew that *I* fully supported the initiative (and hey, it’s my blog, so I can write what I believe in, right?) but how my readers would react was another story.

Turns out… you’re with me!

Thank you so much for all the heartfelt, candid and touching feedback. According to your comments, OHIP for IVF is long overdue, and many would like to see it accessible to every couple who is in need of assisted reproductive technologies to start a family. We’re not alone:

• 73% of Ontarians surveyed agree that Ontario should adopt a policy of publicly funding IVF treatments that is similar to Québec’s

• 63% of Ontarians surveyed agree that Ontario families should have some form of public coverage for fertility treatments

• Within the general public, support for some form of coverage was highest among those with children at 71% and women at 68%

• 55% agree that cost should not be a barrier to infertile couples who need assistance with reproduction

(The survey was completed on-line from August 29 – August 31 using Leger Marketing’s Online Panel – LegerWeb.)

Now these statistics obviously show that as a society, we are mostly in agreement that some form of public coverage is warranted. But what I find incredibly interesting about these results is that the MOST support comes from those people who already have children. Truthfully, wouldn’t you think that those who were able to conceive naturally might say, “Screw it, you’re on your own?”

Not on your life.

Because we have been blessed with a family; appreciate the challenge in building one; and have experienced the euphoria in seeing those hopes, dreams and plans come to fruition – by way of a tiny, perfect little baby. We know of family and friends who have struggled with fertility, and have witnessed the emotional toll that it has placed on health, careers, finances… even marriages.

Because above and beyond our desire to alleviate the financial strain on those couples trying to conceive, we also want to relieve the financial strain on our healthcare system – to the tune of $400-$500 million in savings over 10 years.

Yes, OHIP for IVF is a splendid idea.

Here’s a call for action. Over the course of the Ontario election, Conceivable Dreams and its supporters will be asking all candidates where they stand on funding of IVF and whether they will commit to helping 1 in 6 Ontarians create families in a safe way that helps reduce costs to the healthcare system. I will be personally asking this question to every candidate who calls, knocks on my door or asks me to participate in polls; I hope all of my readers who are with me on this important initiative will do the same.

Next week, I’ll show you how exactly the savings can be realized. Trust me, it all makes such great sense!