Here is a letter that I just sent to my local representative. In my personal experience dealing with 5 different drs and close to 6 months of insurance red tape was a lot of salt in an already difficult wound. And all the time I knew my insurance would not cover my infertility treatments. But yet I still need to go through the steps to be seen by a reputable RE. Many of us have spent $$$$$$ to try and get pregnant....so I hope you will read the below cut and past it in word and mail it to your representative. Please change it to fit your wording if you wish. But the best way to support your IF sisters is to push for a change.


Dear Loretta Sanchez,

I am writing to ask that you co-sponsor the following bill that would provide coverage for infertility treatment:

HR 2892, The Family Building Act (Rep. Anthony Weiner) 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 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. Why? Because couples with insurance coverage are free to make purely 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.

I have been struggling with Secondary Infertility for 25 months. My husband and I are both in our late 30's and have a loving, stable relationship. I have an 11 year old healthy son from a previous marriage who is an excellent student and has an active social life. Our diagnosed infertility is Male Factor Infertility. Which means our only options are Artificial Insemination or In-vitro Fertilization. We have already spent several thousand dollars on 3 artificial inseminations. I have been to 5 different doctors most of whom gave terrible care along with their office staff. Had my insurance covered infertility I probably would have been pregnant by now. Instead we need to pull from our own personal resources and future to make my husband a father.

Please support infertility coverage legislation and help fulfill the dreams of thousands of couples waiting for a family to love.

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Betsy~ If your letter doesn't get through to them, I don't know WHAT will. That was very touching.

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