It has been a long time since I was a routine reader of this board. I am so glad it has continued, since it was such a source of hope and comfort for me. Though I was ultimately unsuccessful in my quest to become pregnant I am writing today to urge those of you in Minnesota to join an effort to pass mandated health insurance coverage for fertility treatments here in the state. I am copying the relevant information below, along with a message from one of the organizers. Please join us if you can! --Jodi
Dear Family, Friends, and Neighbors,
...I am writing to you because RESOLVE will be hosting three forums for Minnesotans to speak with legislators, and with each other, about expanding insurance coverage for individuals and couples dealing with infertility in the state of Minnesota and we would like to invite you to join us in attending one of these forums and spreading the word to others in your network.
According to the CDC, 1 in 8 people are affected by infertility. Look down the street where you live or down the row of cubicles or offices in your workplace.
Most likely, there are at least two homes or work spaces where the family, or individual, is suffering infertility.
Infertility is a medically recognized disease that affects men and women equally. When treated correctly, infertility has one of the highest rates of success of any disease - more than 80% of couples or individuals who complete treatment will succeed in having a biological child.
Often patients select treatment based on what is covered by their insurance plan rather than what is most appropriate, forcing many people to have less effective but covered treatments such as surgeries for blocked fallopian tubes or endometriosis rather than pursuing in-vitro fertilization (IVF), a non covered service, even though the cost is about the same and IVF is statistically more likely to result in a
successful pregnancy.
States with mandated insurance coverage for infertility report a decrease in health care costs.
Incidences of high order multiple births is decreased.
Healthier pregnancies and babies are a result.
Currently 15 states have some degree of
employer-mandated infertility coverage as a required benefit within their policies. These states include Arkansas, Louisiana, Texas, and West Virginia.
Yes, I said Arkansas, Louisiana, Texas, and West Virginia are ahead of Minnesota in addressing this disease.
This clearly does not align in my mind with the legacy of health policy innovation leadership this state should strive to maintain. I have attached additional facts from RESOLVE about infertility in the US.
We would like to see Minnesota become the 16th state enabling more individuals and couples to pursue their journey to parenthood with less stress, anxiety, and financial hardship due to expanded insurance coverage.
We invite you to join us at one or more of these forums later this month. Listen to legislators share their thoughts, ask questions, share your own infertility story and meet others working through these issues. Coffee and dessert will be served!
Dates and locations include:
October 10, 2007
Minnetonka Community Center
14600 Minnetonka Blvd.
Minnetonka, MN 55345
(952) 939-8390
7:00-8:30pm
October 16, 2007
(We are personally helping to host this forum) Roseville Civic Center (Birch Room) 2660 Civic Center Dr.
Roseville, MN 55113
(651) 762-7006
7:00-8:30pm
October 24, 2007
Kelly Inn St. Paul
194 Marion St.
St. Paul, MN 55103
(651) 227-8711
7:00-8:30pm
Please feel free to contact me directly with any questions you have may have, or if you are personally interested in becoming more involved with RESOLVE.
We would also be grateful if you would please forward this invitation to others in your network who may be interested in joining us.
Have a great Thursday! Thanks SO much for your time and consideration!