A successful career, a wonderful marriage, a home and children is a dream most of us have as we become adults. Having children completes that dream for many people. For others, however, the dream of having children will never become a reality. Infertility affects approximately 7 million people in the United States. Infertility refers to the biological inability of a woman OR a man to contribute to the conception of a child due to various biological causes some of which may be bypassed by medical intervention.
Fertility treatments are an option that many couples face when told they have an inability to conceive on their own. The costs associated with these treatments are beyond the economic range for many couples. On average the cost of fertility treatments such as invitro fertilization or surrogacy is approximately $15 – $24,000 at the least. Costs may increase depending on doctor’s fees, additional procedures such as ultrasounds, hysterosalpingogram, sperm collection, blood work, etc.
Unfortunately, my husband and I are two of those 7 million people whose dream may not become a reality. In 2006 I was diagnosed with uterine cancer and was told that I would have to have a hysterectomy. I was lucky enough to have an oncologist who was able to save one of my ovaries in the event my husband and I chose to have a surrogate mother. Along with many couples in our situation our insurance company does not cover any portion of fertility treatments. We are facing both an economic and an emotional struggle in deciding what we are going to do. $15,000 – $24,000 is more than the cost of the vehicle we drive. We are looking at several thousands of dollars that we just don’t have. We are an average, loving couple who live average lives. The cost of fertility treatments may inevitably shatter my dreams of having a biological child with my husband of 12 years.
Nearly 50% of all pregnancies in the United States are unintended. Out of that half 4 out of 10 are terminated by abortion, voluntarily. Non-hospital clinics make it accessible for those who choose to terminate an unwanted pregnancy regardless of insurance coverage. The average cost of an abortion is approximately $372, you hear me right folks, quite a difference from the $15,000 – $24,000 needed for fertility treatments.
Infertility is not a choice people make, it is a challenge they are given. I, along with the approximately 7 million other people facing this challenge, should not be ignored. Insurance companies do not recognize infertility as a medical condition and view infertility treatments as experimental. However, since 1980 over 72,000 children have been born due to assisted reproduction. Congress needs to mandate coverage and recognize infertility as a medical condition. Legislators need to refocus their priorities. Assisted reproduction needs to be a focus of family planning for those who have a stable, loving home to provide. Wealth should not determine who can and cannot be parents. Having a child is a basic human desire that most people have and everyone should be given the opportunity to give life.

Thanks for educating and advocating!!!

~ Christine Clark