3 replies to this topic

[Rick]

Please state reasons why IVF should not be funded by government. For those with alternative views please record them on the support thread. This is only for objecting arguments.

[Ttcbelieve]

I'll give this a shot.

An objective argument may be that if IVF falls under the medical category then IVF should not be funded as it is not a "Medical Treatment".

IVF solves a problem, it allows people to have a baby, and there may be several reasons why people cannot have babies. If we agree that the reason that people cannot have babies is directly related to a medical issue or a problem. IVF will not solve or cure the medical issue or problem. IVF will allow the person who has the medical issue an opportunity to "by pass" the issue and have a baby but it does not solve the medical issue.

The treatment or cure for the medical issue should be funded by the government, however as IVF does not cure or treat it should not be funded.

E.g
An individual with blocked fallopian tubes can get a surgical treatment, laparoscopy to attempt to treat or cure the medical issue. IVF can be used to have a baby if the individual is unable to have babies as a result of the blocked fallopian tube. Laparoscopy treats the medical issue; IVF does not treat the medical issue.

Similar example for an individual with sperm issues, IVF does not cure or treat sperm issue but will afford the individual an opportunity to address the "cause & effect" of the sperm issue

[Ope]

It is not my opinion , but I share what one of my co-worker told me.
It was back in 2007 when we realized that we have a problem, which can be solved only with IVF/ISCI. That was bad news, but the real shocker come when I realized that in Canada the health care system do not pay for it. I have lived in a couple of countries in Europe before I came to Canada and all of them covered a limited number of IVF attempts. So for me the financial burden was the most shocking part of the whole process. It made me feel alienated by the society.

One day I vent about this to a girl I worked with and her answer was : "Why should I or everybody else pay for your child."

I was really surprised by her answer, as it against the basic principle of publicly funded any social services : healthcare, elementary education etc. Since then I have realized that many people have that type of view, especially since I live in Alberta.
Lots of people are pro private heath care here, and they would like to see a movement toward less publicly funded health services.

[impatient]

I have mixed feelings about the debate. I do think that our provincial medical insurance should pay for it. However, I can see advantages in the private model.

1) In most provinces, there are shorter wait times, and if not, there is always the option to go to another province or country.
2) There's more competition, and in order to attract patients, clinics must offer better patient services and strive for higher success rates.
3) There's less red tape, so REs are more willing to think outside of the box and try new protocols.
4) There's no need to satisfy judgemental government regulations, ie "candidates must be straight couples younger than 38 with no previous children".