Attn: Minnesota Infertiles

Legislative Forum on Infertility and Insurance Coverage

Please come to a panel discussions with legislators to talk about the issues of expanded insurance coverage for infertility will be held at:
October 10, 2007 at the Minnetonka Community Center14600 Minnetonka Blvd. Minnetonka, MN 55345(952) 939-83907:00-8:30pm
October 16, 2007 at the Roseville Civic Center2660 Civic Center Dr.Roseville, MN 55113(651) 762-70067:00-8:30pm
October 24, 2007 at the Kelly Inn St. Paul161 St. AnthonySt. Paul, MN 55103(651) 227-87117:00-8:30pm
For more information and updates before attending, please visit www.midwest.resolve.org or call 952.223.1339.

Infertility is a medically recognized disease that affects men and women equally. It is defined as the inability to conceive or retain a pregnancy during a one-year period (6 months for a woman 35 years of age or older). According to the CDC, 1 in 8 couples of reproductive age are affected by infertility. When treated correctly, infertility has one of the highest rates of success of any disease - more than 80% of couples who complete treatment will succeed in having a biological child. Often patients select treatments based on what is covered by their insurance plan rather than what is most appropriate, forcing many people to have less effective but covered treatments such as surgeries for blocked fallopian tubes or endometriosis rather than pursuing in-vitro (IVF) fertilization, a non-covered service, even though the cost is about the same and IVF is statistically more likely to result in a successful pregnancy. States with insurance coverage for infertility report a decrease in health care costs. Incidences of high order multiple births is decreased. Healthier pregnancies and babies are the result. Currently 15 states have infertility coverage as a required benefit within their policies. We would like to make Minnesota the 16th state that requires this beneficial coverage included in health care plans.

Please come and lend support, listen to legislators, ask questions and share information regarding insurance coverage and infertility. Please forward this on to friends, family and neighbors.