Help Support the "Family Building Act of 2007"

7.3 million Americans suffer infertility (source: Resolve Organization). With the majority of health plans not covering infertility; their are many couples left childless and without hope. For those of you that are not familiar with the costly facts; the average cost of an In Vitro Fertilization (IVF) procedure is approximately $10-$15K. Less intrusive procedures like an Intra-uterine Insemination (IUI) can run around $3K per procedure.

When I was trying to conceive (or in infertility talk we say, "TTC"), my husband and I were both working and living a comfortable life but we could not afford an IVF treatment. I had done 6 IUIs, had surgeries and still no luck with conception. Our last hope was for an IVF procedure. I looked into adoption and the average cost for that seemed to come to $50K. It was cheaper for us to try to get a loan and go for the IVF. That is what we did.

I was able to get a loan but I worry about those couples that cannot get such a large loan or for those couples that cannot save this large amount of money. Each procedure you are rolling the dice because NOTHING is a sure bet. You could spend one year saving up for an IVF and then that procedure fails. You are out $10K, but worse than that you out of hope. The older you get, the less chance you have for conceiving. It is very time-sensitive and some of us just don't have the years to save for such procedures.

Infertility is an illness. It needs to be covered. It is that plain and simple for me. Here is a quick overview of the Act that has now been "Introduced in House:"

"Family Building Act of 2007 - Amends the Public Health Service Act and the Employee Retirement Income Security Act (ERISA) to require a group health plan that provides coverage for obstetrical services to include coverage for non-experimental treatment of infertility that is deemed appropriate by a participant or beneficiary and the treating physician. Requires coverage for assisted reproductive technology only if certain conditions are met. Prohibits a group health plan from taking specified actions to avoid the requirements of this Act.

Applies such requirements to health insurance coverage offered in the individual market and coverage offered through Federal Employees Health Benefit (FEHB) plans and Department of Defense health care plans."

To read the full text version of this Act please click here: Family Building Act of 2007 Please visit the Resolve web site and fill out a VERY simple form (takes 2 minutes) and they do the rest. They send a letter out to your state and federal representatives for you. Please show your support for such an important Act. Even if you are not TTC please support those that are and pass this information on.

Thank you,
Alicia