My province ran an online survey last month, canvassing for opinions and experiences from those who have either sought treatment for infertility, or provided said treatment. They were also asking about adoption, but that part didn’t apply to me. They appear to be serious about looking at how they can reduce the (often prohibitive) cost of IVF and adoption. They want to make these options accessible to more people, and they recognize that covering IVF in the long run could be less expensive than supporting the multiple births that still pop up when you combine fertility drugs and IUIs.
Pretty damn exciting if you ask me. Assuming this goes somewhere, of course.
I filled out the survey. And on the last page, when it asked whether I would be willing to be interviewed about my experiences, I said yes and provided my email address.
Yesterday they called me. Today I called them back and made an appointment.
Next Friday I’m speaking out. I’ll put a public face on my infertility (at least as public as talking to a total stranger gets) if it will lead to change. I have friends who can’t afford to go any further in their treatment than Clo.mid. Q. and I would have been stuck there too if his insurance hadn’t covered our medication costs. We still don’t know if we’d go past one round of IVF. One round wouldn’t cripple us financially, but two, three, four? If the province wants to help us out, that would be amazing. I remember wailing to my father when we decided to start the IUIs. “I can’t believe I have to pay for something other people do for free,” I said. It didn’t seem fair. It still doesn’t. And we’re one of the lucky ones.
My province already covers so many things. My lap will be covered. My HSG was covered. Q’s sperm analysis was covered. They will cover the cost of IVF if you have two blocked tubes. Why not this, says I.
And on Friday, I’ll tell them that.
This is amazing. The US Healthcare system is so f*cking bad. The debt I carry just from injectibles and IUIs? Embarassing. What’s worse? The government here will pay for fertile myrtle living off welfare to not work and afford to have 5 babies with my tax money. I just don’t get it.
I hope they institute standards that can help more couples afford the hope of having a biological child.
Good luck!
*hugs*
I think it is very bold of you to be willing to tell your story for the potential benefit of you and countless other women in the same situation. I sincerely hope it paves the way for you to have access to whatever you need to have a baby (and I hope what you needs is just one more try).
I am so proud of you!! We have yet to see any sort of awareness, much less action, from the Alberta government on infertility and the need to fund more advanced treatments. Thankfully, I have excellent coverage for my IVF meds. Go get ‘em tiger – you may be paving the way for other Canadians who need more support!
Way to go! I’m so thankful I live in a state that covers IVF. It makes me very hesitant to move…
That is fantastic – well done, you! I just came over from the L&F to offer my congratulations, and hope that the current general review of the healthcare system being undertaken here in SK will be deluged with responses from people dealing with IF. I know they’ll be getting a lot of detail from me!
Here from L&F. You must live in the same province as me, because I completed the same survey (although I don’t remember offering to be interviewed, lol). It’s awful that money has to be a factor, but of course it has to be for most of us. My company healthcare plan provided $5,000 coverage for fertility drugs — lifetime maximum. I went through it in less than two IUI/injectable cycles.
I’m sure you’ll do us all proud!!
Wonderfully brave! Best of luck persuading the bigwigs!
Whoops, make that $1500!! I went through that in just a few days!