Infertility Community Advocates Take On Congress to Ask for Financial Relief for Medical Treatments and Adoption
McLean, VA (PRWEB) May 01, 2014 -- On Wednesday, May 7, RESOLVE: The National Infertility Association will host its annual Advocacy Day and welcome more than 145 advocates from 23 states. Infertility advocates include patients, their friends and family, physicians, mental health professionals, adoption professionals, and representatives from infertility-related businesses.
Infertility advocates will meet with Members of Congress to gain support for three critical pieces of legislation that would increase access to family building options.
The Family Act, S 881/H.R. 1851: This bill will provide a tax credit for the out-of-pocket expenses associated with in vitro fertilization (IVF) and fertility preservation.
Adoption Tax Credit Refundability Act of 2013, S 1056/H.R. 2144: The adoption tax credit is permanent but should be made refundable as a refundable credit will do a better job of encouraging adoption and give every child a better chance to have a permanent, loving family.
The Women Veterans and Other Healthcare Improvement Act of 2013, S 131/ H. R. 958: This bill will require the Veterans Administration to provide family building options such as IVF and adoption assistance to veterans who are now infertile as a result of being wounded while in service to our country.
“Infertility is a public health issue that needs more attention,” said Barbara Collura, President/CEO, RESOLVE: The National Infertility Association. “We need to raise our collective voice and ensure our lawmakers do something positive for the infertility community. On Advocacy Day, grassroots supporters from across the country will share their personal stories and seek support from their elected officials.”
In the U.S., the Centers for Disease Control estimates one in eight couples have trouble getting pregnant or sustaining pregnancy. There are only 15 states with some sort of mandate to cover the diagnosis and treatment for infertility, and only eight of those states require coverage for IVF. The Affordable Care Act (ACA) and the Essential Health Benefits do not include coverage for infertility and the existing mandates are only guaranteed to remain in place through 2015.
According to a RESOLVE survey, the number one barrier to treating infertility was cost. And in 2013, 67% of survey respondents reported having spent at least $10,000 on medical treatment or adoption to build their family. Less than half of those surveyed (46%) had insurance that covered infertility treatments at all.
“I first attended RESOLVE’s Advocacy Day in 2011. Being part of RESOLVE’s advocacy efforts changed my life and has empowered me to share my personal story with my elected officials. I’m honored to help lead this event and encourage so many others facing infertility to do the same,” said Advocacy Day Co-Chair and New York resident, Jennifer Rutner.
Echoing Rutner’s feelings is Whitney Anderson, Advocacy Day Co-Chair from Salem, Virginia, “Speaking out about my infertility has allowed me to take back some control that this disease stole from me. We will stand strong on May 7 and tell Congress that people with infertility matter.”
For more information, visit http://www.resolve.org/advocacyday.
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About RESOLVE: The National Infertility Association: Established in 1974, RESOLVE: The National Infertility Association is a non-profit organization with the only established, nationwide network mandated to promote reproductive health and to ensure equal access to all family building options for men and women experiencing infertility or other reproductive disorders. One in eight U.S. couples of childbearing age is diagnosed with infertility. RESOLVE addresses this public health issue by providing community to these women and men, connecting them with others who can help, empowering them to find resolution and giving voice to their demands for access to all family building options. For more information, visit http://www.RESOLVE.org.
Diana Cummins, RESOLVE: The National Infertility Association, +1 (703) 556-7172, [email protected]
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