I think this is something very important for all people facing infertility...
Dear Friends and Family,
I don't normally do this, but occasionally a piece of legislation occurs that "catches my eye." The one that has caught my eye is the Family Building Act of 2009. I feel that is a very important piece of legislation, so I would like to take this time and encourage you to write your Senator and Representative and encourage them to support these bills.
The Family Building Act of 2009 (H.R. 697, S. 1258) "takes an important first step toward improving the way insurers view infertility," but it is "not a silver bullet for improving the way [in vitro fertilization] treatments are conducted and covered," John Zhang, founder and director of the New Hope Fertility Center in New York City, writes in an opinion piece in The Hill. The bill, introduced by Rep. Anthony Weiner (D-N.Y.) in the House and Sen. Kirsten Gillibrand (D-N.Y.) in the Senate, would require health insurance companies that cover obstetrical services to cover non-experimental treatment of infertility, including IVF.
I am including sample letters to your representatives and senators with this email. All you need to do is fill in your information, and send it to your congressmen.
- Find your representative here
- Find your U.S Senators here
__________________________________________________________________________
The Honorable Mark R. Warner
United States Senate
459A Russell Senate Office Building
Washington, DC 20510
Dear Senator Warner,
As a voter and a constituent, I urge you to support the following bill that would provide coverage for infertility treatment:
- S 1258, The Family Building Act of 2009 which would require insurance coverage of infertility treatments by all health plans that also cover obstetrical benefits.
According to the CDC, infertility is a medically recognized disease that affects 7.3 million men and women in our country. Still, many insurance companies do not provide coverage for treatment to overcome this disease, but single out infertility for exclusion. I find this to be discriminatory. Well-managed insurance coverage will not place a large burden on insurance companies. Studies have shown that infertility coverage may actually reduce costs by limiting costly treatments that have low rates of success in treating the underlying problem.
In fact, a recent employer survey conducted by the consulting firm William M. Mercer found that 91 percent of respondents offering infertility treatment have not experienced an increase in their medical costs as a result of providing this coverage.
Insurers argue that bearing children is a lifestyle choice. In fact it is. But it is not a choice to have a disease that prevents a person from having the option to bear children. Insurers raise concerns about some treatments and the possibility of multiple births and the associated costs. Reproductive doctors are careful to help couples minimize the risks associated with multiple births. A study published in the New England Journal of Medicine (Aug 29, 2002) concludes that the incidence of multiple births is actually lower in states that have enacted an infertility insurance requirement than in states without coverage, because couples with insurance coverage are free to make medical decisions when pursuing some infertility treatments, as opposed to other couples who must also weigh financial considerations that often result in medical risk taking, multiple births and a high rate of complications during and post-pregnancy.
In 1998, the United States Supreme Court ruled that reproduction is a major life activity under the "Americans with Disabilities Act." This ruling demonstrates the importance of reproduction and the impact that infertility, in which the ability to reproduce is impaired, has on the lives of men and women.
Many affected by infertility do not feel comfortable speaking publicly about this very private struggle, but we represent all racial, religious, and ethnic groups, as well as both sexes. We are neighbors, co-workers, friends and relatives, and we just want to experience the joy of raising families without having to bankrupt ourselves in the process. Please support infertility coverage legislation and help fulfill the dreams of thousands of couples waiting for a family to love.
Thank you for supporting S 1258.
Sincerely,
Name and Address here
_____________________________________________________________________________________
The Honorable Frank R. Wolf
United States House of Representatives
241 Cannon Building
Washington, DC 20515
Dear Congressman Wolf,
As a voter and a constituent, I urge you to co-sponsor the following bill that would provide coverage for infertility treatment:
- HR 697, The Family Building Act of 2009 which would require insurance coverage of infertility treatments by all health plans that also cover obstetrical benefits.
According to the CDC, infertility is a medically recognized disease that affects 7.3 million men and women in our country. Still, many insurance companies do not provide coverage for treatment to overcome this disease, but single out infertility for exclusion. I find this to be discriminatory. Well-managed insurance coverage will not place a large burden on insurance companies. Studies have shown that infertility coverage may actually reduce costs by limiting costly treatments that have low rates of success in treating the underlying problem.
In fact, a recent employer survey conducted by the consulting firm William M. Mercer found that 91 percent of respondents offering infertility treatment have not experienced an increase in their medical costs as a result of providing this coverage.
Insurers argue that bearing children is a lifestyle choice. In fact it is. But it is not a choice to have a disease that prevents a person from having the option to bear children. Insurers raise concerns about some treatments and the possibility of multiple births and the associated costs. Reproductive doctors are careful to help couples minimize the risks associated with multiple births. A study published in the New England Journal of Medicine (Aug 29, 2002) concludes that the incidence of multiple births is actually lower in states that have enacted an infertility insurance requirement than in states without coverage, because couples with insurance coverage are free to make medical decisions when pursuing some infertility treatments, as opposed to other couples who must also weigh financial considerations that often result in medical risk taking, multiple births and a high rate of complications during and post-pregnancy.
In 1998, the United States Supreme Court ruled that reproduction is a major life activity under the "Americans with Disabilities Act." This ruling demonstrates the importance of reproduction and the impact that infertility, in which the ability to reproduce is impaired, has on the lives of men and women.
Many affected by infertility do not feel comfortable speaking publicly about this very private struggle, but we represent all racial, religious, and ethnic groups, as well as both sexes. We are neighbors, co-workers, friends and relatives, and we just want to experience the joy of raising families without having to bankrupt ourselves in the process. Please support infertility coverage legislation and help fulfill the dreams of thousands of couples waiting for a family to love.
Thank you for co-sponsoring HR 697.
Sincerely,
Um okay- another friend had the same thing happen to her- she was 99% sure she was having a boy and they did the big apt and tell her she is having a girl. 
