2007 House Bill 4244 (Mandate infertility insurance coverage )

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Introduced by Rep. Frank Accavitti, Jr. on February 8, 2007, to require health insurance policies which include pregnancy coverage to also include coverage for infertility treatment.
- Referred to the House Insurance Committee on February 8, 2007.

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Comments

Introduced by Rep. Frank Accavitti, Jr. on February 8, 2007. New Comment

1) PLEASE Just Listen [by bryannebassett on October 31, 2008]
Family: That is a word that has become misunderstood and it's not what it used to be!

I grew up in a pretty rough situation. Basically, all I have is my dad left from my family. ALL I wanted was to get married and start a family of my own. Imagine getting married and trying to have that family you've always dreamed of and then you're told "No, you only have a 10% chance to ever have children without IVF ICSI surgery; $20,000".

My husband and I, who've been together since we were 16 years old, couldn't have the family that we've always dreamed of! What? I can't begin to tell you what that does to you; I can't even put it into words. This is what we are put on Earth for! I can't have a little girl/little boy. What?

First of all, my husband and I both have a medical condition that is causing this. On my husbands end he has low count and motility. Now he had to go to offices and give them samples. Yes, go in a room where they had magazines and stuff for him to do what he had to in a cup. Imagine the embarassment for him. All the workers outside that door knew what he was doing in there. Not to mention it felt to him like this took part of his manhood. He couldn't make a baby. My husband likes to have a drink now and then and uses chewing tobacco. Yes I know these are bad and so does he. But....he had to quit cold turkey, both of them so he could get his counts up for this to work. That is a very stressful thing to do on the drop of a dime. Now on top of being told you may never have a child, add this stress to it. It doesn't make for a very great day! He did quit both and had been tested again and again and he even went to see a urologist. We bought a special medication that they recommended that you can only buy online too. None of this did any good.

We started the fertilty treatments. First I had and HSG which was done at Hutzel Hospital and let me tell you about the pain. This shoots die through your tubes to see if there are blockages; mine were OK. Next we had 4 inseminations done at the Detroit Medical Center with washing the sperm. Nothing worked.

We decided to switch to the Center for Reproductive Health in Birgmingham Dr. Michael Mersol-Barg. I had to leave work every other day for months to drive from Warren to Birmingham to give blood and have ultrasounds. YES, every other day. Imagine what that does to the company that I was working for. THANK GOD I had a great boss. It was even harder for me to get through knowing that my boss, who is only a couple years older, had gotten fixed so he could never have kids because he did not want them. Great Situation there. He was still understanding with what I was going through though.

During the every other day blood work and ultrasounds I had to also take clomid, large doses to form additional follicles. At one point I had 20 follicles and my stomach was bloated and the medicine made me sick to my stomach. It messes with your hormones and made me very moody on top of all the other stress that I was going through. It makes your chest swell up and hurt to where you can't even touch it. Now I'm in pain and don't even want to think about the act to get a child! Then I had to take a class on how to give myself shots in the thigh of medication that forced the follicles to drop. The next 2 days we had to take off work and go have another round of insemination. A few weeks later, we found out it didn't work AGAIN!

Finally after spending thousands of dollars we decided that we were going to take a credit card out and charge the IVF surgery; knowing that even with the surgery we only had a 35% chance to have a child. This surgery was going to cost around $20,000. We had to go to an orientation that explains the whole procedure that was almost $1,000 alone.

Then we got scared. $20,000 is a lot of money and what if it doesn't work? We aren't rich. Why is this happening to us? We decided to wait a couple more months to really really decide if we could spend money we didn't have.

By a miracle from GOD, the next month we were blessed with finding out I was pregnant. That 10% chance finally happened. It was like we didn't even believe it. Now we have a beautiful little 29 month old little girl who is so smart. She can have a full conversation with anyone.

We started trying to have another baby 2 months after she was born because I heard that it's easier the second time around. Everyone said, "You're crazy! You'll have them too close together." Apparently not; after another 27 months of trying we have nothing!

I have friends that got pregnant and were scared to tell me because they didn't want to upset me.

I also have friends that have gotten divorced over the infertilty issue because of the tremendous amount of stress that they've undergone.

Now I have to decide what to do again. I may move to Illinois since they cover infertilty there. I have also passed all information to the several friends of mine that are going through the same or similar situations.

MICHIGAN- Please help us so we don't have to move and leave my dad behind to be able to give our daughter a sister or brother. I don't want her to be alone for the rest of her life.
HELP US!
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2) This Is Bad Legislation [by Anonymous Citizen on October 31, 2008]

Oh, yes, my heart goes out to couples who wish to have children but can't because of fertility issues.

But I don't think it is the state's place to mandate indemnification for all of life's setbacks.

And if you think about the matter seriously, our better societal interest may be served by allowing natural restraints on birth rates -- infertility -- than subsidizing means to overcome them.

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3) Ignorant [by Anonymous Citizen on August 26, 2008]
No, it's not ignorant to compare infertility to cancer. She's comparing the fact that they are both involuntary health issues. One is covered, one is not. It makes perfect sense. And having $12,000 up front for a procedure is much different than having a child and paying for expenses over time.
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4) ignorant [by Anonymous Citizen on July 17, 2008]
waut until you have a health issue...you may change your mind about things..until then enjoy your ignorance...
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5) to pass the bill [by Anonymous Citizen on January 7, 2008]
Sorry just got your message. I would say right to your congressman or do what I did and go on the gov site and emailed my senator. I did get a letter back and it was something.
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6) mandated infertility coverage with abortion rider [by Anonymous Citizen on July 22, 2007]
Do we mandate coverage for infertility treatments, then allow the same couple to change their minds and abort the child?
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7) TARYN2008 [by stephanie57 on November 12, 2008]
How can someone even imply that if a person was "treated" with fertility medication they would think of an abortion. I disagree with abortion 100% unless the mothers life is in danger.
But, guess what....I have to pay for other people to have abortions with my tax dollars.
In addition I am infertile due to endometriosis but was fortunate after treatment. I was one of the few who have insurance to at least restore "normal" functioning of my anatomy due to my disease. My diseases deserve treatment just as yours.

I DARE YOU TO TELL MY DAUGHTER SHE DOES NOT DESERVE TO BE HERE BECAUSE HER MOTHER HAS ENDOMETRIOSIS AND HER FATHER HAD ISSUES THAT IMPAIRED OUR FERTILITY. SHE DESERVES TO BE HERE JUST AS MUCH AS YOU DO AND MAYBE EVEN MORE THAN SOME OF THE PEOPLE ON THIS MESSAGE BOARD BECAUSE I WILL RAISE HER TO RESPECT ALL PEOPLE EVEN WITH WHATEVER DIAGNOSIS THEY HAVE.
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8) Infertility coverage! [by Anonymous Citizen on September 18, 2007]
Ok, I am infertile. I don't know if I will ever be able to have children without the aide of treatments. I think that this bill is a wonderful idea! It will definately provide women with the sense of comfort. A lot of people have repiled here with comments, like "why should I have to pay for someone to have kids" or something along those lines. And "it's not my fault that so and so can't have kids." Well, here is my comment back to you....IT'S NOT MY FAULT THAT YOU HAVE CANCER. I DON'T HAVE CANCER, SO WHY SHOULD MY INSURANCE RATES AND PREMIUMS GO UP?

Maybe that will help changes some of your minds!!!
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9) You Are Ignorant [by Anonymous Citizen on July 17, 2008]
to compare getting cancer to the state mandating that a private company spend money to help you have a kid. If you can't afford the treatments you probably can't afford the kid and the state will be paying forever.
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10) Amazing [by Anonymous Citizen on September 14, 2008]
I read all of these responses here, any most of you say that why should I pay for your infertiliy, however, why should I pay school taxes each year if the I can't have coverage to have a child that can attend school? The way I see it, I have been paying for YOUR CHILDREN all of these years
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11) And Now [by Anonymous Citizen on September 15, 2008]
they want you to pay for them to make more babies that you can then pay to educate in the public indoctrination centers.
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12) Why Is It [by Anonymous Citizen on September 18, 2007]
the states / taxpayers responsibility to help you get pregnant? Why do you confuse PRIVATE insurance coverage for cancer treatment with the government taking my money to give to you to have babies? Do you know the difference between government and private? If you can't afford insurance or the treatments what makes you think you will be able to afford the triplets or quints that you get? Will you want me to support these kids since without the government stealing my money and giving it to you, you wouldn't have an extra three mouths to feed.
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13) infertility [by Anonymous Citizen on November 12, 2008]
What I am reading from many of you makes me sad. Do you realize that the inability to have a child can be related to many medical conditions. I can not think of any other diagnosis that an insurance company has the right to deny coverage when the final outcome could be as simple as restoring normal function of the body. For example some women do not ovulate on their own.
And by the way just because you go on fertility medication does not mean you will end up with multiple births. If managed correctly you will be put on doses that will allow you to ovulate one egg.
If fertility is not covered by insurance why do I have to pay for someone who gets cancer because they smoked or someone who has a heart attack because they are obese
With some of your reasoning people do not deserve health care unless they can pay for it out of pocket.
How sad!
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14) Example of why it is important [by Anonymous Citizen on July 20, 2007]
Okay I had an experience this morning that truly shows why this mandate is so important. I am currently ten days late, but I had a negative hpt. Which does not matter too much because I have been known to show negative on this but still be pregnant. Anyways I called up my doctor to request a beta blood test. I got such a run around and this was not for the first time. Due to us not being rich and having funds or insurance to cover IVF,etc we cannot opt for those treatments. I keep getting told by nurses when I call my clinic that they cannot come to the phone because they are too busy with their IVF patients! I have tried calling several times and explaining that I have a history of miscarriage and I started some very strange spotting yesterday, and I am nauseous and sick today. The problem is I am on a natural progesterone which helps support a pregnancy if it happens, but if I get off it I could miscarry, if I stay on it, I may not get a cycle. It is definetely a catch 22 situation! It really upsets me how the IVF patients always take precidence over the lower income or non IVF patients. I feel like I don't get any respect and I cannot even choose to go that route, so I guess if I am pregnant I risk losing my baby because of politics! Please make this mandate possible so I get equal treatment and equal care! I am not rich, but I am somewhat middle class, please I work hard, and I just want the same respect the doctors give to the high paying patients!
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15) Mandate [by plumberboy on June 13, 2007]
That is one word that should be used sparingly in a free society.That really is the problem with this cause what will happen is they will mandate it and the premiums go up and unlike the state who get insurance regardless of the price my employer and most in the private sector will just drop insurance for employees all together if the cost gets to high.I would think telling insurance companies to offer it as a option like dental or optical you can pay a little extra and get better coverage but not everyone getting basic medical insurance foots the bill for those added benefits.I work in a small family business we are always struggling to make ends meet especially in the last few years for example blue cross Ins. basic coverage 30% co pay up to $1500 then after you pay in that they pay 100%.This basic plan cost over $600.00 monthly for a married couple and over $1000.00 monthly for a family.This also cover prescrips with a 15 or 20 dollar co pay.The thing is we pay so much in medical,comp,and liabilty insurances that we can barely stay a float much more and we too will be on that list of closed businesses in Michigan.This law should fail and never be suggested again.
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16) Small companies not the problem [by Anonymous Citizen on July 20, 2007]
I don't think it is the small companies that need this mandate, it is the large companies that employee thousands of employees like mine, I also would not mind paying a little extra to at least have the choice. Please don't turn your back on us mothers!
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17) hey mom... [by Anonymous Citizen on July 20, 2007]
how much should WE have to pay to give YOU a choice???

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18) Small Companies [by Anonymous Citizen on July 19, 2007]
First I am know how horrible it is for small companies to have to fight to stay afloat, but helping people have children only helps promote the american way. We need to reexamine our priorites and not spend money in so many other areas. You and I both know there is a lot of money being foolishly spent by the government right now, and I am not talking about the war, I am talking about footing the bill for luxury trips, etc. I would like to see them develop a program to assist small companies to offer a wider range of options with insurance. Man, this is for our children's future!
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19) how about lets [by Anonymous Citizen on June 13, 2007]
mandate that those that NEED INFERTILITY INSURANCE, PAY FOR IT?

that would be MUCH BETTER THAN FORCING THE REST OF US TO PAY FOR IT.

it would be completely fair, and totally honest.

it would also be the right thing to do.

now, if you can't afford infertility insurance, what makes you think that I can afford to buy it FOR YOU?

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20) Offer it thats all. [by Anonymous Citizen on July 19, 2007]
Again we are just asking that they at least offer it as an option on the insurance, I would even pay a little extra for it, but to try to foot a 25,000 by ourselves is next to impossible!
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21) why? [by Anonymous Citizen on May 19, 2007]
why are any of your health issues my problem then?!
I don't wanna pay for your illness just like you don't wanna pay for mine. So why do we have health insurance at all????
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22) health insurance is [by Anonymous Citizen on May 19, 2007]
YOU paying premiums to cover YOUR future medical expenses, so you don't have to cover them 'out of pocket'.

if fertility treatments CANNOT be covered by YOUR PREMIUMS, then SOMEONE ELSES PREMIUMS must be taken, leaving the insurance company with THAT MUCH LESS MONEY TO COVER MY EXPENSES.

obviously, the premiums were MUCH TOO HIGH for infertile people to afford, so they took the LIBERAL NEXT STEP, that is to take someone else's money to cover THEIR problems.

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23) hello!!! [by Anonymous Citizen on May 29, 2007]
I have no problem paying the premiums if they would just offer it! but that isn't an option! you can't ADD infertility treatments to your insurance!
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24) then change insurance [by Anonymous Citizen on May 30, 2007]
companies...

it's THAT simple.

nobody said it would be EASY, nobody said it would be CHEAP, but IT CAN BE DONE.

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25) Change? [by Anonymous Citizen on July 19, 2007]
That is not always an option with an employer!
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26) hello [by Anonymous Citizen on June 12, 2007]
um yeah NO insurance company offers that. Don't you think we would if it was an option!!!!
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27) one wonders [by Anonymous Citizen on May 17, 2007]
why would an insurance company stay in michigan after being forced to pay for something that has not had to be insured for two hundred years?

i'm sure that, for the right premium, the insurance companies will be HAPPY to provide you with all the infertility coverage you can afford.

i don't ask you to pay for me, why do you ask me to pay for you?

using the force of the state to mandate UNFAIR COVERAGE, that is costly, AND unnecessary is worse than communism.

i know you want to have a child, and it's a shame that you can't, but there are a lot of things that i want that i don't have that i am ALSO not asking you to pay for.

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28) Children [by Anonymous Citizen on July 19, 2007]
How horrible to say that, apparently you have children and take it for granted. I am disheartened by this statement, and it is sad to think that you cannot think of someone other than yourself!
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29) 30% of Cases are Men's Infertility [by Anonymous Citizen on May 12, 2007]
In reality, 1/3 or cases are primarily female, 1/3 primarily male, and 1/3 a combination of both or unknown.

This is not just a women's issue. Men who are infertile also have a great deal to deal with.

Really, if you think the Common Good is socialism you are an idiot with very little reading comprehension. My guess is you know nothing about the actual Founding Fathers and have received what little historical education you have from such creatures as Rush Limbaugh.
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30) why do you think that [by Anonymous Citizen on May 17, 2007]
simply because you are infertile, that it automatically becomes the taxpayer's responsibility to make you fertile again?

what makes it okay for you to take my money by force?

you still haven't explained that.
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31) Learn from 9-11 [by Anonymous Citizen on July 19, 2007]
Because in America we take care of each other, if you were lying dying somewhere, I would not hesitate to help you. Didn't 9-11 teach us anything?
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32) obviously you haven't [by Anonymous Citizen on May 12, 2007]
studied the founding fathers either.

what they wrote in the constitution is genius.

you seem to ignore that, and you ALSO seem to think that 'common good' (as written in the federalist papers) equates out to TAXPAYERS PICKING UP THE TAB FOR EVERYTHING.

no, it isn't like that.

it's not the PROPER ROLE OF GOVERNMENT to make you fertile.

and you haven't explained why it SHOULD BE.

obviously you only studied the LIBERAL side of the founding fathers, as you glowingly represent the LIBERAL side of the political spectrum.

keep trying.
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33) personal attacks don't [by Anonymous Citizen on May 12, 2007]
help your cause.

you STILL haven't explained what makes YOUR infertility (male or female)a taxpayer issue.
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34) Taxpayer [by Anonymous Citizen on May 15, 2007]
I have a question for people who keep saying why is it a tax payer issue. Since when does paying your taxes go towards a comany go to health insurance comanies?
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35) to answer the question [by Anonymous Citizen on May 17, 2007]
"I have a question for people who keep saying why is it a tax payer issue. Since when does paying your taxes go towards a comany go to health insurance comanies?"

okay, this issue, on it's face, is not a taxpayer issue YET.

it's a premium payer issue. if YOUR premiums are going to cover YOUR infertility issues, then i have no problem with the government mandating infertility coverage. obviously this is not the case if the government has to mandate it.

it's not fair to raise MY premiums, and have MY tax money bail out the company when YOUR infertility expenses get too high.

if this were something that would be covered by your premiums, then you would have had it LONG AGO.

it's NOT. it's covered by raising MY premiums for something i don't need to be insured for.

it's called the GOVERNMENT RE-DISTRIBUTION OF WEALTH, and it's WRONG.

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36) Statefeeder [by Anonymous Citizen on May 15, 2007]
"Since when does paying your taxes go towards a comany go to health insurance comanies?"

Okay, sorry, we said taxpayer when we meant insurancepremiumpayer or wageearner. Either way, we're still getting our pockets picked by loafers.

However, to avoid confusion, we'll start using the term "statefeeder" in lieu of all of these other terms.
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37) Statefeeder [by Anonymous Citizen on May 17, 2007]
Why are you calling people with fertility problems "loafers". Are you a loafer because I pay for maternity and child care that I will never use. My premium should be reduced for all the money that goes towards those medical procedures. Then I can use that money to pay for IVF.
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38) Interesting thought [by Anonymous Citizen on July 19, 2007]
Wouldn't it be great if they could tailor our insurance to fit our needs. I also would surely give up something I don't really need to cover IVF treatments. I guess the bottom point is we as Americans have to band together to help keep our population growing. With all the processed foods, chemicals, and everything else in our environment due to trying to always save money on waste, we our very quickly becoming less and less likely to conceive. If we could tailor our insurance premiums that would be great, and as previously stated we are just asking for it to be offered, which it is not.
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39) An easy one.. [by Anonymous Citizen on May 17, 2007]
"Why are you calling people with fertility problems "loafers"."

Because you would use the police power of government to loot your neighbors to pay for your goodies. Instead of working to acquire sufficient resources to pay for them yourself.

Anything else I can help you with today?
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40) YOU CAN HELP [by Anonymous Citizen on May 24, 2007]
Yes there are things you can help me with. Answer the second part of my statement from above. Are you going to reimburse me the money I pay for public schools and maternity and child care I will never use. I take that as you being the loafers your (people with kids) taxes should be raised and your premiums should be alot higher than mine. You people are insane to not realize that. That is why I would love to see the voucher system be put in place for people who want to use there money towards private schools.
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41) people who want [by Anonymous Citizen on May 17, 2007]
others to pay for their things are often called a lot worse than 'loafers'.

blood sucking liberal is another term that leaps immediately to mind.

we wonder why the liberal can't work for what he wants like everybody else? why can't the liberal pay for his own way?

it's because the GOVERNMENT OFFICIALS OF THE DEMOCRAT VARIETY will offer him 'perks' taken from other taxpayers in exchange for his vote.

'vote for me, and i'll raise the minimum wage'.
'vote for me, and i'll make sure the bad old republicans don't cut your social security.'
'vote for me, and i'll make sure that the cheeze we give you is the best in the world.'
'vote for me, and i'll raise everybody else's taxes to pay for all this.'

it's been happening for a hundred years, and it's time to stop.
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42) you had it right the [by Anonymous Citizen on May 15, 2007]
first time.

the "statefeeders" want US to foot the bill for THEIR fertility.

there are already methods of aquiring children if you are infertile, it's called ADOPTION.

maybe if you adopt a child, you will save it from being 'second parent adopted' by some gay couple.

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43) options [by Anonymous Citizen on May 10, 2007]
My husband & I have struggled with infertility for nearly four years - enduring countless cycles of clomid and two failed IUI's. I am not asking that anyone foot the bill for my medical issues. I'm asking that my company be required to offer some coverage for infertility diagnosis and treatment.

Part of the issue I've run into is that I'm forced to use my regular doctor to "guess" at diagnosis and cure of a problem. While he's a fine doctor, his specialty is not fertility issues. So we have endured several different "low cost" options - in the hopes that one of them might have resulted in a child. None of them did. Now that there is another potential diagnosis - my doctor tells me he wants a specialist to do the surgery. But insurance won't cover it. So I'm essentially stuck with the "low cost" option and a hope that it works.

I'm asking for options. I'm asking for infertility insurance to be offered to me in the same manner that vision and dental insurance are offered to me. I can elect to take it or not take it - depending on my needs. Place a limit on the number of precedures that can be done in a certain time frame, put a reasonable deductible on it - but force companies to play fair and offer it.
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44) Coverage Reduces Overall Healthcare Costs [by Anonymous Citizen on May 10, 2007]
There are several very good analysis that go into the fact that many couples who cannot afford IVF decide to continue with the much higher risk (and cheaper) IUI - aka "Artificial Insemination" - with drugs. These drugs, can create so many eggs in a woman that you will get pregnancies resulting in the Higher Order Multiples (triplets and above) [HOM].

Why is this important? HOMs have end up in the NICU at a much higher rate than single babies or twins. IVF actually reduces the chance of HOMs. (Twins are common because in some techniques blastocysts will divide, and in other cases, where 2 or more blastocysts were put into a woman who was not likely to conceive without the extra embryo(s).

3 IVFs is actually too low a number to prevent twinning. If insurance becomes involved, it would probably press for single embryo transfer in certain patient-types. Doing single-embryo transfers reduces individual cycle success rates. You would need to do 7 to 8 single embryo transfer rates to get anywhere near the current success rates with multiple embryo transfers.

Oh, and IVF is not a single technology. Truthfully, if I had all the money in the world I would go to Japan or Denmark to do ART because the US is very far behind these other countries in treating infertility of all types. Mostly due to luddites who do not want to see what science tells them. (I'm afraid I have no respect for the idea that a 5 cell blastocyst is a "person". It is, at best, a potentiality. And I know all the theological/ethical arguments - they just seem specious to me.)

Also, what about those of us who are infertile due to treatments for other diseases. A significant number of women are infertile as a result of appendicitis, tubal disease resultant from strep, pnuemonia, etc. Not to mention the terrors of endometriosis.

The states that have mandated coverage - despite any loopholes - all have more robust economies because corporations offer this benefit to the 10% of couples who need it. Ten percent of couples suffer from infertility.

As to the nonsense spouting on about "socialism" and "collectivism", I suggest you look into the idea of the "Common Good". It was just as important to the Founders that the society's Common Good be looked after - and sometimes more important - than the rights of the individual. But, the lessons of the Federalist papers are lost on the majority of people today.

So, coverage for ART is something that I would definitely see as part of the Common Good as it would:
-- Reduce HOMs, which would:
---- Reduce lifetime healthcare costs for premature babies and those unique costs of HOMs.
-- Increase the "marketability" of Michigan as a "good place to be a professional."
-- Decrease depression rates. (Depression rates and depth of depression among infertile women are similar to Cancer. This is according to the APA.)
-- Encourage research in Fertility Treatments which would, in turn:
---- increase startups in bioscience related to reproductive medicine - providing other non-secular laws are repealed.

The benefits to the state's economy could be enormous.

Michigan is not a leader in this part of health care, most women end up going to Oregon, California, New Jersey, or Nevada to cycle if they have very complex cases. Those are dollars lost to the state since a cycle takes a "cycle." ART includes blood draws and analysis which drives money into labs in Michigan - if we have the foresight to build them here.

Personally, I'm lucky, my husband's insurance does cover IVF - even donor if that were something we were open to. His company also offers adoption. We looked at both, and decided for our situation we could do 3 IVFs for the cost of a single adoption - whether we had insurance or not.

Adoption is not an option for the majority of people - unless they want to go international. There are NOT as many children waiting for adoption as many think. Often, those that are are severely damaged and / or violent. That is why they are still in the system. Michigan allows bad parents to hold on to children in abusive and neglect situations just because the child was born to someone. Many times, by the time Social Services terminates parental rights, these children have such horrendous psychological scars that you need a degree in child behavior to deal with them. I have many friends who are social workers and they privately discourage adoption.

Me, I'm infertile due to a childhood (and/or later) illness that no one recognized as PID . (This is much more common than people realize.) I was a virgin when I married my husband - and we knew each other's intimate partners. I had 0 risk behavior for this situation.

Emotionally, this is the most devastating thing that can happen. I was immobilized for a month after receiving my diagnosis. I'm still not recovered. I did everything right, and I get to be infertile. I am a professional - but I was not a productive professional and have yet to get back to the level of productivity I had prior to the diagnosis. This is _common_. This hurts the economy. I at least have some semblance of hope due to our economic situation. My heart breaks for those who can't. Because if you cannot do IVF, you will not be able to afford adoption.

Just adopt is not realistic. Adoption is more expensive than multiple rounds of IVF. There are not that many babies / young children available. And it is not the responsibility of the infertile to adopt!

I realize that the majority of people are ignorant of all of the issues a given patient community has. I know this because I deal with a disease that people "think" they understand. Me, I'm the worst case scenario of that particular disease. Very few people can wrap their heads around how I must live.

I don't expect the majority of people to understand the very complex issues surrounding reproductive health and adoption. None of it is all that straightforward. But encouraging inclusion of coverage is a step in the right direction.

Pax.
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45) Keep your head up....... [by Anonymous Citizen on May 11, 2007]
I unlike alot of jerks on this site firmly support this bill. I feel for your story and I would just like to say keep pushing for this bill and that will help your struggle. Most men will react negatively to this because they have NO way of understanding what being infertile does to a woman mentally or physically. They can't grasp that women are born into this world expecting one day to give their parents grandchildren, their husbands children, they have no clue just like a lot of other issues dealing with women. Deal with your representatives who have the power to help this bill to pass, write email and call their offices, stop trying to convince people on here who's main goal it is to degrade, bait, and belittle you or your situation. You will learn by looking at other postings that some of these people need to get a job, they post everyday on many different bills with hateful comments that say NOTHING of importance. Stop trying to convince small minded people and go directly to those who count which are your reps!
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46) Infertility Insurance Mandate for Michigan [by Anonymous Citizen on July 19, 2007]
I agree, as a 44 year old woman who had no intention on waiting, not a career thing, I just married late. I never thought I would ever have a problem starting a family. I cannot begin to describe the heartache that comes with this. Everyone should have the right to build a family! If there are medical problems, this should be treated like any other medical condition and it should have to be covered by companies. I don't really understand why some here are concerned that it will be added to taxes, this is something that will force employers to provide coverage. For those fathers and mothers out there, I emplore you, go look at your children sleeping at night and let them know you love them and keep in mind just how lucky you are, I just want the same, I did not ask for medical problems! I also do not have old eggs suprisingly, but my employer has completely excluded any coverage what so ever! I cannot even try a trigger shot, etc. Please try to understand and put your self in someone elses shoes, this is not a luxury item, this is something most people take for granted. I just want the same right to build a family as you. I am devasted every month, when I get negative tests, and my hopes and dreams have been dashed! We don't have a lot of money and we then do not get the opportunity to take advantage of the techniques available. Why should the rich be the only ones allowed to have children? Unfortunately, Infertility does not discriminate by social level. I am not asking for charity or even some kind of aid, I am just asking to be able to be given insurance that covers this devastating problem. If anything think about our nation, These potential children could later be another Kennedy, etc. Please give us a chance!

Sue - Novi
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47) five part test. [by Anonymous Citizen on May 11, 2007]
let's apply the five part test to the infertility issue.

does this bill...

1. establish Justice?

NO.

2. insure domestic Tranquility?

NO

3. provide for the common defence?

NO

4. promote the general Welfare?

NO IT ONLY PROMOTES YOUR WELFARE, AND THUS IT SHOULD BE DROPPED.

5. secure the Blessings of Liberty to ourselves and our Posterity?

NO

that's 0 out of 5.

no hate speeches, no personal attacks, no hateful comments, just pointing out the obvious.

it is NOT the job of the taxpayers to make you fertile.

perhaps, using FACTS and not emotion, you may have a better time swaying voters. so far, you haven't presented ANY facts that say why you think the taxpayers need to pay for your infertility issues.

lincoln said "all men are created equal" but you ask us to make infertile women a protected class of individuals, better than the rest of us, at our expense.

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48) From rock-ribbed pioneers to quivering jelly blobs... [by Anonymous Citizen on May 10, 2007]
Okay, what to do with this steaming truckload---besides pitch it over the cliff. Might be a few choice nuggets in here...

"As to the nonsense spouting on about "socialism" and "collectivism", I suggest you look into the idea of the "Common Good"."
A euphemism for socialism, which is itself a euphemism for tyranny.

"It was just as important to the Founders that the society's Common Good be looked after - and sometimes more important - than the rights of the individual."
Better go burn the Bill of Rights then. And that high-pitched whine you hear is the founders' skeletons spinning up to takeoff power.

"The benefits to the state's economy could be enormous."
I'd like cheese on that Whopper, and onion rings.

"Michigan is not a leader in this part of health care, most women end up going to Oregon, California, New Jersey, or Nevada to cycle if"
Sounds like the free market working as it should.

"Those are dollars lost to the state since"
Those aren't the state's dollars.

"Emotionally, this is the most devastating thing that can happen."
Seriously, get a grip. Besides, socialism gets *orders of magnitude* worse than that if left unchecked. Just ask a lot of eastern Europeans. Better nip it in the bud right here.

"Adoption is more expensive than multiple rounds of IVF."
I smell government at work. Yuck.

"And it is not the responsibility of the infertile to adopt!"
Nor that of the taxpayer to make the infertile fertile.

"I don't expect the majority of people to understand the very complex issues surrounding reproductive health and adoption."
Well, how very elitist of you. Thanks!

"But encouraging inclusion of coverage is a step in the right direction"
Encourage till you're blue in the face, but do not take stuff you want by force.

"Pax."
Furtum feteo. And/Or, Go Packers!
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49) Comments deleted for language [by MichiganVotes.org Editor on May 9, 2007]
The moderator of this site exercises the lightest touch possible to maintain standards of decorum, and notes how remarkably seldom those standards are violated. However, in recent days twice posters on this bill have included the "s" word. Please cooperate in helping us maintain standards of decorum on this web site. Thank you.
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50) Mod gets cranky for the wrong reasons... [by Anonymous Citizen on May 10, 2007]
If only an occasional sharp word was our most serious problem. The reality is that hordes and herds of dependents here have gotten so addicted to government dole and government supervision that almost no corner of private life or wealth can be held beyond the reach of their hired government looters. Remember, sticks and stones may break your bones, but armed state agents can bust you up a lot worse. Think on that the next time you soil your Doc Martins in manure here.
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51) Thank You [by Anonymous Citizen on May 9, 2007]
I am a women that has had three consecutive miscarriages and no know causes have been found. I suffer alone as many never understand what emotional distress a loss causes. I am limited on my journey to have a child as I do not have Infertility Coverage (although my insurance covers abortion hmm..)Cost of tests and proceedures are immense and I can't depleat my life saving on a 50/50 chance. All my research has indicated that insurance that covers infertility which is classified as a disease/disorder will effect employee premiums very little, as only $1-$2 increase. I never expected to be infertile and I pray that political views don't get in the way of every America's dream.
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52) idiots [by Anonymous Citizen on May 6, 2007]
you guys are right, why should we have insurance at all. If you have one disease and i don't i don't wanna have money taken out of my pocket to pay for your disease.
You guys are really pathetic and just plain stupid. Insurance is there to help everyone.
So why can't it help EVERYONE!!!!
One day you might get a disease, and infertility is a disease, that your insurance won't cover and you will be in the same predicament that we are in now.

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53) It's about time! [by Anonymous Citizen on May 6, 2007]
I am very excited about this bill. I truly hope it passes. Illinois has passed a law requiring coverage for infertility. It makes leaving Michigan very tempting. How sad it would be to see another young, educated, professional couple leave the state. Those of you who say just adopt. We did! We have a wonderful son, who we are in the process of adopting (the very long process which is full of delays). We will adopt again, but because of laws here in Michigan, I can only adopt 2 children based on the size of my house. My 1200 sq ft, 3 bedroom house can easily hold more than 2 children in my opinion. We can afford to take care of all the children we eventually want, so to say that because I can't afford to shell out $20,000+ on fertility treatments doesn't mean I can't afford to raise a child. It means that I am responsible with my finances. No child costs $20,000 in one lump sum payment. We do not qualify (nor would with with 5 children) for any government, tax-payer funded programs. You will not even be paying for them to attend public school.

Now, you say infertility is not life threatening, so why should insurance pay for it. I, as many others have stated have PCOS. That means I am at greater risk for having weight problems, heart disease, needing surgery to remove cycts, ovarian cancer, and diabetes. All of these are life threatening. However, if I was able to receive fertility treatments, and have a successful pregnancy many of these risk factors are greatly diminished.

Why should my insurance premiums be used for someone else's abortion, a practice I do not believe in, but not in helping to create a life.

As a person who believes in adoption, both I and my son are adopted, I still long to have a child that is my own flesh and blood. I know no one in this world who is like me, I have no blood relation to anyone in my family. That is a very difficult realization that many of you will never have to know. I want to know what it is like to grow a child inside of my womb. HOW DARE ANYONE SAY I DON'T DESERVE THAT!

I GIVE MY FULL SUPPORT TO THIS BILL AND HOPE WITH EVERY BONE IN MY BODY THAT THIS BILL PASSES AND ALLOWS THOSE OF US WITH INFERTILITY STRUGGLES A FAIR CHANCE AT PARENTHOOD!
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54) Oink oink [by Anonymous Citizen on May 6, 2007]
"Illinois has passed a law requiring coverage for infertility."
New Hampshire has the most lax concealed-carry laws in the union. Can we have that too? (might actually be a fair trade.)

"I can only adopt 2 children based on the size of my house."
This crap comes from the same government whom you beg for a handout. When the gubmint gets involved, everyone loses.

" so to say that because I can't afford to shell out $20,000+ on fertility treatments doesn't mean I can't afford to raise a child. It means that I am responsible with my finances. No child costs $20,000 in one lump sum payment. We do not qualify (nor would with with 5 children) for any government, tax-payer funded programs. You will not even be paying for them to attend public school."
No one doubts your financial acumen. We just don't want government guns pointed at our heads, forcing us to pay for your luxuries through our insurance premiums.

"Now, you say infertility is not life threatening, so why should insurance pay for it. I, as many others have stated have PCOS. That means I am at greater risk for having weight problems, heart disease, needing surgery to remove cycts, ovarian cancer, and diabetes."
Most of that is already covered by most insurances. No worries. But maybe when the price comes down, if your claim is true, ins. cos. will cover fertility treatments voluntarily.

"Why should my insurance premiums be used for someone else's abortion, a practice I do not believe in, but not in helping to create a life."
Two wrongs don't make a right.

"As a person who believes in adoption, both I and my son are adopted, I still long to have a child that is my own flesh and blood. I know no one in this world who is like me, I have no blood relation to anyone in my family. That is a very difficult realization that many of you will never have to know. I want to know what it is like to grow a child inside of my womb."
That's nice, but don't rob me to pay for it.

"HOW DARE ANYONE SAY I DON'T DESERVE THAT!"
YOU DON'T DESERVE THAT! (or more precisely, you don't deserve the looted spoils of your neighbors to pay for that.)

"I GIVE MY FULL SUPPORT TO THIS BILL AND HOPE WITH EVERY BONE IN MY BODY THAT THIS BILL PASSES AND ALLOWS THOSE OF US WITH INFERTILITY STRUGGLES A FAIR CHANCE AT PARENTHOOD!"
With this state so teeming with freeloaders, like locusts swarming a cornfield, it's no wonder we're doomed.
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55) Just what we need! [by Anonymous Citizen on May 5, 2007]
Finally, Michigan is following the lead of other states.

Fortunately, a majority of the comments that I've seen have come from individuals that have not had to face this issue. Good for you. Now, for the people who are directly affected by this...

Infertility is a growing epidemic. Unless you've suffered through it, you can never understand what legislation like this could mean to a family. I have a beautiful 5 year old daughter. I got pregnant like it was nothing (boy was I lucky knowing what I know now). Now, after 5 years of trying for another child, I'm being faced with costly out-of-pocket expenses. I don't want my child to be as lonely as I was growing up and it's not fair to her.

This is not just a legislation issue. Infertility, creates depression which in and of itself costs the public money (since that's all the majority of the previous posters have commented on). I have a medical condition, where actually, if I don't get treated on a frequent basis (which is considered an infertility treatment), my condition gets worse and increases my risk of cancer later down the road if not addressed now. The state can help cover my costs if and when I do develop cancer due to the lack of coverage now since that seems to make more sense.

Now please, tell me where it's fair that my insurance company (a well recognized national company) will cover the costs of an abortion and contraceptives and not touch a dime of my infertility treatments?

Since it seems to be a matter of money, does it seem right that taxpayers dollars go towards the murder of an unborn child when a woman like myself would die to only have a second of that and would gladly take that child with no questions asked?

Also, how many people claim unemployment, welfare, medicaid, when those are all "personal problems". Face it, everyone at one time or another, has had to, or will have to, draw upon the state. Maybe it's not for infertility reasons, but it's for something else and because it's something YOU needed, it was okay.

I would LOVE to adopt, and I've tried to foster and adopt. However, for my daughter's sake, I need to be just as picky about the child we bring into our home due to the outside influences that have been bestowed upon this foster child. It's a lengthy process also, taking years even after you have all the money saved up.

If adoption became an option that was less costly (trust me, the going rate after a tax break is around $10k-$14k and I can't pull that out of my bank account off-hand) it would be something my husband and I would seriously pursue. We have commented many times that we would LOVE to adopt. However, as sad as it is, at this point, infertility treatments (the most that I'll pursue anyways) is far cheaper.

Infertility is more serious than anyone who has not faced it can recognize. It affects families, it affects the individuals severely, and without treatment options, the lack of infertility coverage is just as detrimental to the state's money situation as it would be to cover it. I would love to pay extra on my insurance every month to be able to make this an option for every women who feels what I feel every month.
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56) Other Peoples' Money [by Anonymous Citizen on May 6, 2007]
"Now, after 5 years of trying for another child, I'm being faced with costly out-of-pocket expenses. I don't want my child to be as lonely as I was growing up and it's not fair to her."
God forbid you should have to pay for things you want. Especially something you already have one of, and for frivolous reasons.

"Now please, tell me where it's fair that my insurance company (a well recognized national company) will cover the costs of an abortion and contraceptives and not touch a dime of my infertility treatments?"
It is not. They were forced at gunpoint to dole out these goodies for free. Just like they are about to get looted some more. I guess it's easier for Lansing to install dole-healthcare as a new entitlement by taking insurance companies hostage and forcing them to set it up, rather than the state taking on that task directly.

"Since it seems to be a matter of money, does it seem right that taxpayers dollars go towards the murder of an unborn child when a woman like myself would die to only have a second of that and would gladly take that child with no questions asked?"
The citizens should not get mugged to pay for that rotgut, either.

"everyone at one time or another, has had to, or will have to, draw upon the state."
Not surprising, with the state having grown to the blubbery behemoth that it is today, and co-opting so many aspects of private life, and pimping its vast array of swollen teats out to any loafer who wants to clamp on. It wasn't always like that, but somehow people got along just fine.

"I would LOVE to adopt,... It's a lengthy process also, taking years even after you have all the money saved up."
You can blame government for that mess, too.

"I would love to pay extra on my insurance every month to be able to make this an option for every women who feels what I feel every month."
That's the great thing about charity. Its' voluntarily. There's no pistol pressed to the back of your head compelling you to be charitable.
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57) People are incredibly obnoxious.... [by Anonymous Citizen on May 9, 2007]
on this site I'll tell you. Now God forbid these people get married and can't have a child they'll jump on the band wagon so quick to support this bill it'll make your head spin. I am so tired of hearing the rude and very insensitive that comes out of some of your mouths on this site. Someone who wants to have a child and physically cannot and you taunt and degrade them who the hell do you think you are. I'll tell you what as a taxpaying citizen of this state I say we take a poll and see who would like to trade you out of this state in order for one of these families can cover the cost of the fertility drugs. I would be the first person to sign we have enough ignorant, rude, hateful, and immature people here now with you gone it would be one less and that's always a good thing. Don't come on this site to degrade people that are already suffering as a result of being physically unable to concieve, state your feelings thats fine but to make it a personal attack on someone who already is hurting is just plain WRONG. It's people like you that should not be able to have children because you raise them with the same inconsiderate attitude that you have, your mom obviously did not give you proper home training. Good luck with this bills to all that need it, I will write my reps in it's support. Ignore those who weren't raised right and keeping pushing your reps!

(In respect to sincere passion expressed on an important issue, comment has been restored after bad language removed. Please help maintain standards of decorum on this web site. MichiganVotes Moderator.)
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58) Another trough-gobbler gets frothy... [by Anonymous Citizen on May 9, 2007]
"I am so tired of hearing the rude and very insensitive that[*FLUSH*]"

A whole lotta wind in lame attempt to excuse the forced taking of other people's property for personal pleasure. You can safely ignore this one, folks.

Anyone got air-freshener?

(In respect to sincere passion expressed on an important issue, comment has been restored after bad language removed. Please help maintain standards of decorum on this web site. MichiganVotes Moderator.)
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59) Hello! [by Anonymous Citizen on May 1, 2007]
Ever hear of adoption? There are many, many wonderful children waiting for wonderful parents. Can't you be one of them?
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60) Dumb legislation! [by Anonymous Citizen on May 1, 2007]
I will support legislation to make adoption easier!

Do you understand the heartache of children waiting to be placed with great parents???

If your infertile, I'm sorry. If that causes you heartache, I'm sorry. This YOUR personal problem. It should NOT become a taxpayer problem.
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61) The Wiser Bills [by Anonymous Citizen on May 1, 2007]

In this legislative session are SB 041-042 and HB 4295-4296, which require insurers to cover contraception and contraceptive prescriptions.

Being unable to produce babies may be very disappointing, and perhaps even frustrating to the individual(s) involved. But at worst it is that. It is not a life-altering -- or society-altering -- experience anywhere near on a par with producing babies that are unexpected and unwanted.

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62) I support this! [by Anonymous Citizen on April 29, 2007]
I highly support this bill. There are several other states who already have something similar imposed. Can we look at those states and see if it dramatically changes healthcare costs? It seems like from other comments, it really doesn't. As other's have stated here, infertility is a health problem and therefore it really should be covered albeit with some limitations (a lifetime cap of some sort would be understandable). Please pass this bill. Until you have experienced infertility you cannot know the pain and heartache that it causes.
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63) Oh good grief... [by Anonymous Citizen on April 27, 2007]
"This is such a great plan. My husband and I have been trying for five years to have children, and infertility treatment can cost thousands of dollars"

Gawd I just love socialism. Now we all get looted to pay for your personal problems. You probably wouldn't commit armed robbery against me for five bucks, but you'll hire the state to mug my insurance company (your fee being your vote for whatever socialist grunted out this turd of a bill--I forgot who.) Disgusting.
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64) unknown [by Anonymous Citizen on April 24, 2007]
I am honored that someone has taken the time to bring this bill to the House.
I believe this is a wonderful bill for people who are suffering from infertility.
It is truly a disease that many people over look. I believe that insurance company
should pay for treatments such as: IVF and GIFT however, I believe it should be a lifetime cap.
For example: They should only have to cover up to 3 attempts. After that couples should be responsible for future attempts if they were unsuccessful. On behalf of these couples please please please, pass the bill.

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65) Do some research [by Anonymous Citizen on April 15, 2007]
I’m writing this on behalf of my many friends (both men and women) suffering from some form of infertility. Add up the costs associated with each doctors visit, each special exam (x-ray, ultrasound, etc), and procedure, the out of pocket costs can easily go above $20,000. I didn’t know this until I did the research.

I also found this:
According to the American Society for Reproductive Medicine, infertility affects about 6.1 million people in the U.S

According to a 2006 employer survey conducted by consulting firm William M. Mercer, 91% of respondents offering infertility treatment HAVE NOT experienced an increase in their medical costs as a result of providing this coverage.

According to a 2003 Harris Interactive Poll, 80% of the general population believes infertility treatment SHOULD BE covered by insurance. (Harris Interactive Inc., Survey, 2003).

This is just some of the data I have to support my argument for coverage. If anyone disagrees with me, I would encourage them to do some research and come up with their own solid argument.

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66) And Why [by Anonymous Citizen on May 1, 2007]
should society bear this financial burden?
Where in the constitution does it say that the government, using money forcibly taken from taxpayers has an obligation to help you concieve?
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67) I hope... [by Anonymous Citizen on March 28, 2008]
you never experience infertility or are close to someone who is struggling with getting pregnant...you may change your mind
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68) so why should i [by Anonymous Citizen on March 28, 2008]
be forced to pay for your infertility?

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69) the words... [by Anonymous Citizen on March 28, 2008]
life, liberty, and the persuit of happiness leap immediately to mind when i think of this subject.

yes, you are free to live your life, even to try to bring new life into the world, but you are not guaranteed success.

you are free to live your life freely, enjoying all the liberties we have in this country. but you are not guaranteed to be free.

you are free to persue happiness in any way that suits you, but you are not guaranteed to be happy.

it's not the government's job to make you happy. it's not the other taxpayer's job to pay to make you happy.

in other words, your happiness and by extension, your fertility are not the business of government.

quit trying to make it the government's business.
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70) What's the difference? [by Anonymous Citizen on May 2, 2007]
Infertity treatments should be covered. You complain that you shouldn't have to pay for it but why should my tax money go to pay for the health problems of people who smoke. They have a choice and choose to destroy their own health. Why should I have to pay for your kids to go to public school? I hope that some of you on here who are being so closed-minded to those who suffer from infertility find yourselves in a situation sometime where you need insurance but don't have coverage. Lets see how you feel when it happens to you.
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71) since you put this in terms [by Anonymous Citizen on May 2, 2007]

of what others cost you in order to justify subsidized infertility treatment, let's put it to you this way:

why should i have to help pay for your infertility treatments so you can produce kids which get you certain tax breaks and at the same time cost me a ton of tax dollars to educate?

eliminate the tax incentives for people to produce their rug rats and eliminate subsidies for those who do, so they get to pay their own way, and then maybe subsidizing infertility treatments might look somewhat reasonable.

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72) An alternative approach [by Anonymous Citizen on April 27, 2007]
"Add up the costs associated with each doctors visit, each special exam (x-ray, ultrasound, etc), and procedure, the out of pocket costs can easily go above $20,000."

Ever hear of adoption?
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73) adoption isnt for everyone [by Anonymous Citizen on April 30, 2007]
I would NOT want to adopt...this is very costly and you just do NOT know what you are going to get...not to mention how LONG it takes to adopt an infant...wow...ignorant..not the same as having your own child
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74) Laffing at all the freeloaders here... [by Anonymous Citizen on April 30, 2007]
"I would NOT want to adopt...this is very costly[snip]

Oops, I forgot, adoption would cost money, time, and effort. Much easier to employ armed government agents to seize wealth for you from your neighbors. Silly me. I'll try to be a better socialist from now on, I promise.

No wonder the state of Michigan is circling the bowl, being stuffed to the gills with freeloading loafers like these...
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75) Thank YOU! [by Anonymous Citizen on April 15, 2007]
How can we get this law Passed!
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76) Great News! [by Anonymous Citizen on March 8, 2007]
This is such a great plan. My husband and I have been trying for five years to have children, and infertility treatment can cost thousands of dollars. If you people think it will cost you an arm and a leg-maybe you need to do a little research. There have been several studies done and the average cost of insurance would only rise $1-3. And as far as the last post stated that they would be fine with covering the morning after pill-save your dollar...and I'll buy you some caulk for your mouth.
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77) I Guess [by Anonymous Citizen on March 8, 2007]
It might be reasonable to adopt this mandare for covering infertility treatments if the proposed mandate for insurance to cover contraceptive medications also is adopted.
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78) I Guess [by Anonymous Citizen on March 8, 2007]
It's All About YOU.
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79) Are you kidding! [by Anonymous Citizen on February 14, 2007]
Insurance is unaffordale as it is now. Requiring companies to cover such costly procedures that are not life threatening? I feel for couples that are not able to have children, but should I have to pay for their treatments through higher premiums? Will they help me with my gas bill?
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80) Are you Kidding [by Anonymous Citizen on April 21, 2007]
To all of you who are against this bill because your insurance may go up or you say "If you can't afford fertility treatments then you probably can't afford the children that they may produce" are out of your mind. My wife and I cannot have children without IVF. According to some of your ideas that it is tuff luck. I guess I should get reimbursed for my taxes that go to the public schools that I will never use and also get a reimbursement on the maternity coverage that my insurance company will never get bill. You people need to wake up and not just talk.
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81) YES [by Anonymous Citizen on April 30, 2007]
"I guess I should get reimbursed for my taxes that go to the public schools that I will never use"

An excellent idea. Keep thinking like that! Always encouraging to meet a few fellow freedom-lovers out here on this bleak collectivist landscape.
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82) i agree [by Anonymous Citizen on April 30, 2007]
I couldn't have said it better!
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83) I can't believe you people [by Anonymous Citizen on April 4, 2007]
I can't believe it. How dare you say people who can't afford the coveage, most likly can't afford children! That is just mean and cruel. If you had to go through what infertile couples had to you wouldn't be saying that!
This is a AWESOME BILL! I hope with all my heart it passes.
Its okay for fertile couples with no money to have kids, but infertile couples should have to pay for there DISEASE! PLEASE!
I don't know about you but i can't afford to pull 15,000-20,000 out of my ass to pay for it.
I have coverage for birthcontrol! So insurance companys can help me for that, thats not a life threatning disease. But god forbid you want to have children and start a life and family with your husband they can't help you with that, and give me SOME type of coverage.
I have PCOS, you probably don't know what that is but it is a DISEASE, not life threating, we have been trying for about 5 years now with one miscarriage. We need help having children. SURE I could adopt and have someone come in a look into every aspect of my life to see if we are going to be "suitable parents" but do they go into people who use drugs? child abusers homes, and see if they will be suitable parents before they can't pregnant???? UGH!

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84) Another Great [by Anonymous Citizen on February 14, 2007]
Republicrat idea! This bill should go nowhere. What we really need is insurance coverage for effective contraceptive medications, including the morning after pill.
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85) Stay Out Of Business [by Anonymous Citizen on February 14, 2007]
If you can't afford fertility treatments then you probably can't afford the children that they may produce.
It Is Time For A Part Time Legislature
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86) wow [by Anonymous Citizen on April 30, 2007]
Some of the ignorance on this board is just mind boggling. Who are you to say that just because someone doesn't live in a 6 figure income world or much higher shouldn't have the same damn chance as the next person who is in the 6 figure or higher income bracket to have children. No matter what you make, it is your right to have a child and really no one can make that decision but god...are you god? You sure seem to talk like you are...Are you a smoker? Do you make in proper lane changes that could result in an accident pushing ALL of our car insurance premiums up? Believe me, there is AT LEAST one thing you do in your life that WE will pay for..probably a LOT more than your measly $1-3 dollar premium upgrade on health insurance to help good people have their babies. My husband and I tried for 2 yrs to get pregnant and then we lost our son when i was 22weeks pregnant..he lived for 2 hours...died in MY arms....so YES it would be nice if we had a little help with trying for a baby one more time.
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87) Loss [by Anonymous Citizen on July 19, 2007]
I thought your posting was the best. I to suffered a loss in 2004, I know the heartache! I totally agree, In Michigan layoffs are second nature, my husband has been through two of them. I have had to make enough for both of us! I also do not make six figures, and you are so right, infertility does not discriminate. I work really hard, I would like to see the option at least added to my insurance. I don't know what happened to americans helping one another out, this is so sad. Especially here in Michigan, where I cannot even get a teaching job and I have to work in a call center as a supervisor. We really have to help each other out, a $1-$3 dollar increase should not be that big of a deal. Help us and someday we will help you!
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88) Wrong Again Libby [by Anonymous Citizen on May 1, 2007]
"No matter what you make, it is your right to have a child"

If you can't afford it, you can't have it.

"really no one can make that decision but god..."

If you can't get pregnant then I guess that God has already made his decision. Quit taking my money to overrule the almighty.
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89) That is the worse yet! [by Anonymous Citizen on July 19, 2007]
I can't believe you are talking for God, It is God's will for woman to have children, it says so in the bible, it is against god's will to have infertility. It is free will that man has that destroys dreams.
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90) if it were against God's [by Anonymous Citizen on July 19, 2007]
will for you to be infertile,

you wouldn't be.

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91) Last word. [by Anonymous Citizen on July 20, 2007]
I just had to add one more comment. You are forgetting that infertile couples with the proper treatment do go on to have children, so that would be god's will. I think he tries to guide us to help, He just cannot do anything about politics that use their own free will. It will be god's will to pass this mandate, you will see.
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92) Another comment, kind of angry [by Anonymous Citizen on July 20, 2007]
Lastly, if you were dying and you sought no treatment at all, would you just say it was God's will for you to die? Or would you try everything medically possible to stay alive? Think about that! God has encouraged and inspired people to become reproductive endrocrinologist, just like he did for all doctors. There is a reason that they are there for us!
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93) so, go to them. [by Anonymous Citizen on July 20, 2007]
don't let us stop you. most take insurance, just like any other doctor.

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94) there are those who [by Anonymous Citizen on July 20, 2007]
believe exactly that.

that death is God's will.

they believe that he strictly forbids seeking treatment of any kind.

now, you want to try again?
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95) LOL [by Anonymous Citizen on May 10, 2007]
ignorant ignorant IGNORANT selfish son of a B****...I pray you get what is coming to you and I laugh in your face.
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96) i don't think that the [by Anonymous Citizen on May 10, 2007]
poster is NEARLY as selfish as you are.

this is a GIMME bill. imagine if you had less tax burden, then possibly you could AFFORD infertility treatments. why do you want ME to pay for them for you?

it is not the proper role of government to pay for your infertility.

please stop trying to make it so.

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97) Infertility coverage [by Anonymous Citizen on April 27, 2007]
I am just beginning fertility treatment and I have PCOS. I may get pregnant on low grade fertility treatment, and I may not and have to go through IVF. Luckily I could afford it if I needed to, but that is a burden I am not looking forward to having to take on. Those who are going through IVF take on more than just the "$20,000" it costs for a cycle. For those who don't understand infertility, it is like walking up to a table and betting $20,000 on 50/50 odds. If you get it, your life becomes complete, if not, you find $20,000 more or you blew your life savings on a chance. However more often than not, IVF DOES WORK! It may take more than one cycle but IT DOES WORK!
Being able to conceive your own child is the strongest most natural instinct in the world and there is nobody that understands that feeling more than a woman ready to be pregnant. Biologically, it is what we were put on this earth to do, and the inability to make that happen is an emotional train wreck. For most of us, the inability to conceive will lead to deep emotional anguish and eventually to $100,000 in psychiatrist and therapist bills (all of which are covered by insurance if not wrong).
From where I sit, you are saving insurance companies money. For those who have not been through infertility, take a moment and put yourself in someone elses shoes who is. Put yourself in a woman's sitatuion who's maternal instinct runs very strong and is willing to go through the pain of being pumped with hormones and being poked with tools of the trade. It is a huge burden we go through, now include the worry about the financial risks.
For the extra $1-$3 on a premium you are bringing many children into this world who have a family that wants them bad enough to go through the IVF treatments (they are not easy or fun from what I understand). As a teacher I can't think of a better thing to spend money on.
For those people out there saying it is not a lifethreatening procedure. Insurance companies pay for non-lifethreating procedures all of the time. A woman who undergoes a mastectomy after breast cancer can have reconstructive surgery. With all of the compassion in the world (my mother went though it), that is covered.
Please see the importance in passing this bill. It will not even be noticed with the astronomical price of heathcare, but you are bringing children into this world who are wanted and will be loved very much! You have to remember that infertility is happening to young couples starting out in life. Most of the women I have met are between 25-35yrs old and most of us in the best shape of our life. We are faced with a situation we could not have changed with a better lifestyle or smarter choices. It is a condition that we were unlucky enough to be dealt. Had we had children at 15 years old, we may have had an easy time getting pregnant, but as a culture we have decided against that, so as a culture, we need to help make arrangements for those of us who are now experiencing problems with fertility.
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98) pass the bill [by Anonymous Citizen on September 15, 2007]
I am in the same boat as you, can you tell me how I can help pass the Bill. I am desperate.
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99) Fellow Teacher [by Anonymous Citizen on July 19, 2007]
I am glad to hear that teaching does cover some. Do you know where I can write to congress to help push this bill through? I am running out of time, I am 44 and only married three years, and now our family dreams are being dashed.
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100) What does insurance mean? [by Anonymous Citizen on December 20, 2007]
When we cannot pay for our medical expenses lump sum, we get insurance to share the expenses and risks. That is why infertile people are paying for others kids health insurance and education, medical problems, and so on…
Now, there are two options:
1. Divide people to infertile and fertile, and offer different policies in a way that be fair for both groups. Then talk about optional infertility coverage, optional public education. (it is funny as it is)
2. Offer both groups a package including infertility coverage along kids health insurance, education, tax deduction, or...

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