Press Conference Alert: American Society for Reproductive Medicine Meeting
McLean, VA (PRWEB) October 11, 2013 -- RESOLVE: The National Infertility Association calls on Congress to help pass The Family Act.
Date: Tuesday, October 15th
Location: Boston Convention Center, Boston, MA, Auxiliary Press Room, Room 105
Time: 3:30 pm
If you would like to attend this press conference, please contact Rebecca Flick, rflick(at)resolve(dot)org to request a press pass.
Survey: In 2013, RESOLVE surveyed more than 1600 women and men diagnosed with infertility, revealing that 46% of people surveyed have insurance coverage but their plans do not cover infertility treatments, and an additional 15% have plans that cover less than 25% of infertility treatment costs.
Legislation: The Family Act, S 881/HR 1851 is a bill in the U.S. Senate and U.S. House of Representatives that will create a tax credit for the out-of-pocket costs associated with in vitro fertilization (IVF) and fertility preservation. This important legislation could help those who might not otherwise be able to have children and need IVF get medical treatment.
Speakers: Barbara Collura, President/CEO of RESOLVE: The National Infertility Association (http://www.resolve.org)
Michael Alper, MD, Medical Director, Boston IVF
Why: 1 in 8 couples in the U.S. are diagnosed with infertility. Not all will need advanced medical treatments to build their family, but for nearly half who do, their insurance plans refuse to cover the disease of infertility. Due to this lack of coverage, it is important to establish tax and economic policies that are supportive of families.
The American Society of Reproductive Medicine (ASRM) lists the average price of one in vitro fertilization (IVF) cycle in the U.S. to be $12,400. For the majority of patients seeking treatment for infertility, costs for assisted reproductive technology, such as IVF, are paid for-out-of-pocket and are not a covered benefit under group or individual health insurance policies. Only 15 states have passed laws requiring that insurance policies cover or offer to cover some level of infertility treatment .
Support: In 2013, Senator Kirsten Gillibrand (NY) introduced the Family Act in the U.S. Senate- S 881. A companion bill, HR 1851, was introduced in the U.S. House of Representatives by Representative John Lewis (GA). The Family Act has two co-sponsors in the Senate and 32 in the House of Representatives.
Available for Interviews: Available to comment on The Family Act and the importance of affordable fertility treatment are patient and fertility specialists who may be impacted by The Family Act, and spokespeople from RESOLVE: The National Infertility Association.
Call to Action: It is critical that the medical community support The Family Act by contacting their members of Congress. For instructions on contacting U.S. Senators and U.S Representatives, go to http://www.resolve.org/taxcredit.
If you would like to attend this press conference, please contact Rebecca Flick, rflick(at)resolve(dot)org to request a press pass.
1 http://www.resolve.org/family-building-options/insurance_coverage/the-costs-of-infertility-treatment.html
2 http://www.resolve.org/about/fast-facts-about-fertility.html
Diana Cummins, RESOLVE: The National Infertility Association, 703.556.7172, [email protected]
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