SAN DIEGO, Oct. 23, 2012 /PRNewswire/ --RESOLVE: The National Infertility Association urged patients and the medical community to call upon Congress to pass the aptly named Family Act, S 965/HR 3522. This important call to action took place during the 68th Annual Meeting for the American Society for Reproductive Medicine (ASRM) in San Diego, CA. The Family Act is a federal bill which will create a tax credit for the out-of-pocket costs associated with in vitro fertilization (IVF) and fertility preservation after a cancer diagnosis.
"The Family Act is important to people diagnosed with infertility and those that want to preserve their fertility after being diagnosed with cancer. RESOLVE continues to mobilize doctors, patients, and the entire infertility community to ask their elected to support this legislation," said Barbara Collura, President of RESOLVE, speaking at a briefing at the ASRM meeting.
Dr. Arlene Morales shared her experience as a Reproductive Endocrinologist helping patients navigate their family building journey. "Every day I see patients struggle with the cost associated with the most effective course of treatment for their disease because so many insurance plans do not cover IVF. As their physicians, Dr. Wendy Shelly and I are proud to support the Family Act knowing this bill will lessen their financial burden," said Dr. Morales, Medical Director for Fertility Specialists Medical Group located in San Diego, CA.
Congressman Brian Bilbray (R-CA), represents the 50th Congressional District in California, spoke about his support of the bill and urged anyone who cares about someone facing infertility to talk to their members of Congress about the Family Act. "As a father of three grown daughters, I have heard them talk about friends trying, unsuccessfully, to have a child. Infertility affects more young women than people realize. According to recent statistics, it affects approximately one-in-10 women between the prime childbearing ages of 20 to 35. For many, the devastating news of infertility is followed by the shocking cost of treatment. While a tax credit cannot replace the total cost of treatment, it can provide some help to young women trying to conceive."
Leigh Cook, an infertility patient from San Diego, CA, described herself as a "woman who does not give up hope." Cook and her husband spent years trying less effective medical procedures that did not result in a successful pregnancy before turning to in vitro fertilization and paying out of pocket for the treatment because her insurance did not cover the costs. "The Family Act would have been a catalyst for us to pursue the best options for our medical care much earlier in the process," said Cook.
Dr. Glenn Schattman, President of the Society for Assisted Reproductive Technology, recognized the important role that physicians play in supporting this bill. "The Family Act is an example of social good, and the Society for Assisted Reproductive Technology and the American Society for Reproductive Medicine support this bill."
One in eight U.S. couples of childbearing age is diagnosed with infertility. For more information, visit www.resolve.org/taxcredit or www.resolve.org.
About RESOLVE: The National Infertility Association: Established in 1974, RESOLVE: The National Infertility Association is a non-profit organization with the only established, nationwide network mandated to promote reproductive health and to ensure equal access to all family building options for men and women experiencing infertility or other reproductive disorders. One in eight U.S. couples of childbearing age is diagnosed with infertility. RESOLVE addresses this public health issue by providing community to these women and men, connecting them with others who can help, empowering them to find resolution and giving voice to their demands for access to all family building options. For more information, visit www.RESOLVE.org.
RESOLVE Contact:
Andy Schwarz
703.556.7172
aschwarz@resolve.org
SOURCE RESOLVE: The National Infertility Association
