Since I’ve always succumbed to the notion “Life is Short; Eat Dessert First” – I’d like to give you my takeaway for this post now, rather than wait until the end. So here goes.
Infertility is not a choice. It is not a problem – nor is it bad luck – and it certainly does not discriminate. Anyone, at any time, can be faced with it. Infertility is a medical condition.
With that in mind, allow me to return to the meat of the issue, or the main course if you please.
A few months ago, I blogged a series of posts based on Conceivable Dreams, the OHIP for IVF Coalition. They are the provincial voice for thousands of infertility sufferers and their supporters across Ontario, with the single goal of having OHIP coverage of in-vitro fertilization (IVF) reinstated by the Ontario government.
Bad news: Ontarians are still waiting. (Seriously? What’s the holdup; this one’s a no brainer!)
Good news: The call for government support is continuing across the country, with Generations of Hope, an Alberta-based patient group raising awareness of infertility and the need for government support towards treatments like in-vitro fertilization (IVF).
Now in case you need a little nudge, here’s a reminder why publicly funded IVF makes complete sense:
– It’s not as rare as you think. In fact, infertility is an emotionally painful experience that impacts 1 in 6 Ontarians; more than 15% of the population made up of our friends, colleagues, family members and peers.
– As you know, Quebec introduced funding for up to three cycles of IVF to help create families. This also helped reduce the number of multiple pregnancies in that province from 27.2% to 5.2% in just 6 months. Quebec is now on track to save hundreds of millions of dollars as the number of twins and triplets in neonatal intensive care units is expected to drop significantly.
– It’s estimated that Ontario could realize similar savings by providing OHIP coverage for IVF: between $400-$550 million in savings over 10 years to be exact.
– For the most part, we’re in agreement. 75% of Ontarians support OHIP funding of IVF similar to Quebec.
So how does this translate across the country? Turns out that Alberta conducted a similar study, and the results were just as staggering: Research estimates a 60% reduction in rate of multiple births through IVF and $78 million in net savings to the Alberta health care system in first 5 years.
(Making babies and saving tons of money in the long run? Yes please.)
Here’s a call for action. Ask your local government candidate where he/she stands on funding of IVF and whether they will commit to helping infertile couples create families – in a safe way that helps reduce costs to the healthcare system.
And, if you live in Alberta, Generations of Hope has organized a petition urging the government to fund IVF and other fertility treatments. The petition is available to sign online at www.generationsofhope.ca as well as at the office of the Regional Fertility Program. To date 11,500 Albertans have signed the petition.
Next week, I’ll share some recent media coverage, provide nitty gritty details surrounding the cost-benefit analysis, and publish reader reaction from the first series of posts and this one as well. Until then!
This post was sponsored by Generations of Hope. The opinions on this blog are my own, and I happen to wholeheartedly support publicly funded IVF.
*nodding head*
I’m in Alberta and I just signed and am passing it along to friends and family.
I believe in this, so HUGE thanks for bring it to our attention Lena!!
Thanks so much for your awesome support, Tammi.
Hi Lena, I remember when you first posted about this and am so happy to see you still support the cause and are following up with more information. After having 4 miscarriages IVF would be in our future if we could afford it but we can’t.
Of course Tanya! I checked out my previous post and wanted to thank you for commenting once again. Your feedback is appreciated, and I am crossing my fingers for you.
Yah go Alberta! This makes so much sense!
It truly does, right?
I applaud you for using your voice and online invoice to share this important matter with others. At 27 I have been trying to conceive for over 3 years. IVF is not an option because we were quoted over $8000 from start to finish for just one cycle. We have considered public adoption but I feel that I have a few years left of trying and praying before we do that because my husband is an only child and really wants to continue his family tree. I will pray for Alberta just as I have been praying for Ontario.
Daria – the costs of private IVF can indeed be substantial, not to mention the emotional toll on couples. Wishing you and your husband much luck and strength.
Great post Lena.
Awesome post Lena. I hope the government funded IVF program comes through for the many, many couples who are anxiously waiting for their little miracle baby. I fully support this program.
Me too, Marissa. I’ve looked at the debate from every angle, and the savings – and joy – just add up.
Some private medical insurance companies do cover some costs of medication and procedure. Infertility seems to be a growing trend here in BC with women over 35 wanting to have children.
I’ve just gave birth to a little girl 10 weeks ago, approx 50% of the women in my age group that have just had a baby within the same time frame have had some sort of treatment.
It would be nice if some of these costs could be covered by the government considering the statistics.
It is so wonderful you were blessed with a beautiful little girl. And yes, delaying starting a family is a North American trend – so why shouldn’t the government change with the times too?
Great post Lena! I know too many couples struggling with infertility, where having children may not be an option for them. That’s not fair to anyone – no one chooses infertility. Your points alone about the financial savings (by cutting down multiple births) that the government would receive should be reason enough to approve OHIP coverage. I hope that Ontario hops onto this bandwagon soon!
Me too Shauna! In fact, many supporters have argued that the Ontario government funds abortions (a choice not to have kids) but will not help those who are left without a choice and WANT kids. *Shaking my head*
This is a touchy issue, and I have so many friends who have needed fertility treatment to conceive. It’s really sad — because we all bought into the MYTH that you’re just fine until you’re 35. That’s a crock that just doesn’t stand up (see this article from last week’s Globe and Mail: http://www.theglobeandmail.com/life/parenting/baby-before-salary-that-might-not-be-a-bad-idea/article4361939/ ). The thing that scares me about all these fertility treatments is the growing body of evidence that these hormones are leading to reproductive cancers (Giuliana Rancic (U.S. entertainment host), who was 36 when she was diagnosed with breast cancer has discussed this issue). Hormones used in IVF cycles include estrogen, progesterone, follicle-stimulating hormone, and luteinizing hormone. Estrogen generally is known to fuel tumors. And estrogen used for long periods of time in hormone replacement therapy in post-menopausal women is also known to cause cancer. Therefore, I don’t know if I, in good conscience, support making IVF more readily available to people. I know it’s heartbreaking, and I may have gone down that route had I needed to. But I am concerned about the link with breast cancer. Making IVF more accessible, before we definitively know whether or not it’s contributing to life-threatening diseases concerns me.
I love when you weigh in with feedback, Janice, because I always learn something new! I honestly did not realize there was a link to fertility treatments and reproductive cancers – something that I should definitely research a little further. That being said, my hope is that since government-funded IVF would allow for a maximum of three cycles, that perhaps there would be less misuse of IVF-related procedures (ie Octomom, and it has been reported that Giuliana received over 60 injections per month). I guess there’s no perfect answer and those seeking IVF should absolutely have their eyes open to the potential risks. Thanks for the info, as always!