As I was browsing around the internet finding things to read, I came across this very important petition. You may already know about it, but if you don't, I strongly encourage you to check it out. It is a petition one lady has started to have the Canadian Government require provincial health plans to cover infertility treatments. If this doesn't hit home for you, maybe this will...ABORTIONS are covered. Now not to say that I look down on those who've had abortions for medical or necessary reasons, but I do know people who have used them as a form of after-the-fact birth control. And it was paid for, in full, by the provincial health plan, because it is considered to be medically necessary (for mental health). But the gov says infertility isn't a medical issue, that it is a lifestyle issue. Please go to this site and sign the petition. www.ivf.ca/financialhope.htm
__________________ me (Leah)-28 dh (Marty)-32 ds (Javan Valentine)-born May 23rd 2006 dd (Farrah Audrey) -born July 31st 2008
While it would be GREAT if things like this were covered, I can't see how the government could afford to do it! It would cost billions that we simply just don't have. (maybe if they stop wasteful spending, but that will never happen!)
Again just MHO!
If they covered it then other things would just go up, and that is something I do not want.
I wasn't aware though that medically unnessasary abortions were covered
__________________ DX: Sept/03 Me 31 & DH 35 To view links or images in signatures your post count must be 0 or greater. You currently have 0 posts.
PCOS:Metformin 1500mgs daily(Oct/03). Rapid Cycling Bi-Polar Type II: Effexor 225 mgs, .5mgs clonazapam, and 900mgs Lithium daily. litebook therapy(Dec/04). Meniere's Disease: To view links or images in signatures your post count must be 0 or greater. You currently have 0 posts. 16mgs Serc and 10-20mgs Metoclop
I feel for all women who have infertility issues and have to pay for treatment out of pocket. It isn't an easy thing and I know it takes a toll in all areas of life.
I have to agree with TickledPink on this one. I also don't see how the provincial governments could afford to do this - even with our taxes going up, something else would definately get cut.
Maybe the provincial governments could "even" things out and have people pay for abortions themselves - or with their coverage from work.
If you choose not to sign the petition, that is your choice. However, I encourage you to do some research on the subject before making your decision. I had found a site that showed the projected cost and the increase to premiums. The premium increase would be less than $30/person/year. In Alberta, our ph premiums are $44/person/month or $528/year. The increase would take us to $46.50/person/month or $558/year. I'm not suggesting that all procedures/drugs be covered, as with everything else, there would be people who would abuse that. But if a doc says that medical intervention is necessary for their patient, why should our gov be able to say that they think IF is a lifestyle issue, not a health issue? IF is a disability. It prevents those effected from leading normal lives. Our gov is discriminatory for excluding us completely from coverage. In Ontario, a # of IVF cycles are covered by the ph plan for persons whose tubes are blocked or missing. That is a step in the right direction. I don't mean to sound argumentative, but I really think that it may not carry with it all the detrimental effects that you seem to think it will. Presently we all pay a part of the premium for stop-smoking programs, whether we smoke or not. Smoking is a LIFESTYLE choice, you are not born with it. Please just look into this and come to an educated decision.
__________________ me (Leah)-28 dh (Marty)-32 ds (Javan Valentine)-born May 23rd 2006 dd (Farrah Audrey) -born July 31st 2008
By the way, TickledPink, not all abortions are covered, in theory. But if you can convince your doc to say that continuing with the preg is negatively effecting your mental health, then apparently there is coverage available in some places. Somewhere on the east coast the ph plan covers your first or first couple abortions, so as to say 'yes you made a mistake. Here is your chance to learn from it'.
__________________ me (Leah)-28 dh (Marty)-32 ds (Javan Valentine)-born May 23rd 2006 dd (Farrah Audrey) -born July 31st 2008
I agree that if the gov't did agree to cover IF, something else would likely get cut. Its so hard to say what is deserving of coverage and what is not.
Thank you for posting this link. I think its important for the people deciding where to spend money that they be aware of all ramifications of infertility.
I think it's like all evolutions that people will slowly become aware that infertility is a disorder of a body system much like anything else. Not that long ago addictions were seen as the person's "fault" rather than a disease. Studies have shown that infertility has as much impact on a person's mental health as having a long term serious illness such as cancer.
I don't think that infertility treatment is more expensive then a lot of types of treatment. I think we don't really know the cost of things because we don't have to pay for them upfront.
Thanks for passing it on for those who choose to use it.
No flaming me please, but I agree with this petition whole heartedly.
I have always found barriers to recieving my medications ... like Metformin, it's classified as a diabetes medication, so it's covered for reduced drug prescriptions, however Clomid is not. For me, 5 pills of Clomid would cost $86 and that's something to expensive for me to afford right now!
Originally posted by leamop And it was paid for, in full, by the provincial health plan, because it is considered to be medically necessary (for mental health). But the gov says infertility isn't a medical issue, that it is a lifestyle issue.
I think the petition is a great idea but not much is going to ever come of it.
To date dh & I have spent around $20000.00 out of pocket for infertility treatment and we're expecting to spend another $10000.00 come February.
Want to talk about Mental health...spending this money and the stress of the bfn's and miscarriage is really starting to take a toll on my mental health....So why shouldn't ivf be covered for me?
I believe that if women should have the right to have paid abortions then the government should agree to pay for infertility treatments. I understand the government can't afford extra expenditures heck in Ontario the government just implemented a new health plan charge and cut alot of benefits so obviously at this time it is not feasible but they should definately re-access their priorities.
thank you for posting that
i agree that the gov will probably not step in, but thats not a areason for me not to sign and say i agree that it should be covered.
It would be expensive, it's an expensive problem, but it is a medical problem and I think it would be wonderful if it were covered for everyone.
I live in Saskatchewan. We do not pay for health premiums. Our drug coverage is pretty good. I do not pay for metformin under the drug plan and most of my other drugs are covered except BCP. When I was undergoing fertility treatment it cost me on average $60 a month for the clomid and the HGC injections. The actual fertility treatment (insemination) cost around $90 a try at the hospital in Saskatoon. I'm not aware if abortions are performed in Sask. If I recall a friend of mine had to travell to Man. to get one, but that was years ago. I also don't know if we cover them or not unless it is medically necessary.
All Canadians-PLEASE READ! 
