Insurance Coverage for Infertility

We, the undersigned, urge you to co-sponsor and/or support the Family Building Act of 2005 (H.R. 735). This act will amend the Public Health Service Act, the Employee Retirement Income Security Act of 1974, and chapter 89 of title 5, United States Code to require that all health plans cover the diagnosis and treatment of infertility. Infertility treatments include ovulation induction, artificial insemination, in vitro fertilization (IVF), gamete intrafallopian transfer (ZIFT), intracytoplasmic sperm injection (ICSI), and other "non-experimental" treatments. You may view the bill in its entirety by visiting http://thomas.loc.gov and searching for H.R. 735.

By supporting the Family Building Act of 2005 (HR.735) you would help millions of Americans. Infertility is a disease that affects over 6.1 million people, approximately 10\% of the population of reproductive age. For most, raising a family is one of the most basic human desires. Unfortunately the infertile population are frequently denied insurance coverage for their disease. Insurance companies either do not offer coverage or have infertility riders, which employers can opt to decline. Depending on a couple's financial means, infertile Americans either do not get treatment or spend years with both financial and emotional stress in an attempt to conceive.

Historically, insurance companies did not offer coverage, because infertility treatments, such as IVF, were considered experimental and not highly effective. Now in 2005, IVF and other reproductive technologies have been in use for over 20 years. More than 72,000 babies have been born in the United States using assisted reproductive technologies since 1980. Advanced Reproductive Technology (ART)is no longer experimental and can be extremely effective in conceiving a child. Why then are insurance companies permitted to omit coverage for our reproductive systems, when they are required to offer coverage for our other critical health needs?

We, the people who have signed this petition, believe that the government and insurance companies have denied us vital medical coverage for infertility long enough. We believe that H.R. 389 should be made into law to aid us in early diagnosis and treatment of this disease. Please pass H.R. 389 so that we all have the opportunity to fulfill our basic human desire to become parents.



Thank You