Ontario government should fund fertility treatments, advocates say
For Tara Wood, the decision to abandon fertility treatments in the hopes of getting pregnant came down to money.
After two unsuccessful rounds of in vitro fertilization (IVF), and three of intrauterine insemination (IUI), Wood knew she couldn't afford to go on.
Advocacy group Conceivable Dreams, of which Wood is a board member, wants Ontario to offer more financial support to those relying on fertility treatment to have a child as a new survey released by the group on Wednesday shows the severity of the issue.
Eighty per cent of those who answered a survey of fertility treatment patients on the Conceivable Dreams' website said they required services not covered by the province. Over a third, 34 per cent, spent more than $30,000 to try and conceive.
The government says it spends $70 million each year to help 13,000 patients with fertility treatments.
Since 2015, the province has covered one cycle of IVF for those under 43, a treatment that costs about $20,000. But there's no support to pay for the $5,000 worth of drugs associated with a round of treatment or travel expenses.
Conceivable Dreams is calling on the province to establish a tax credit to help with the cost of fertility drugs and travel associated with their treatment. They'd also like fertility program patients in northern Ontario to be able to claim an existing grant to cover travel costs to access healthcare.
"This isn't a nice to have, this is a need to have if we want to allow people to continue to have families, continue to support them, and continue to replenish our population," Wood tells CTV News Toronto.
The World Health Organization estimates that one in six adults worldwide experiences infertility.
The fact that it can take two to three rounds of IVF to achieve pregnancy, and that Ontario clinics are clustered in urban centres can add to the financial, emotional, and physical drain.
Renée Higgins of Sudbury said becoming a mother has cost her a lot."When you're going through treatment, you need to be in clinic multiple times a week, so you might be driving to Toronto or staying there for two weeks if you need to, to make sure that you're there for your ultrasound, your bloodwork," Wood explains.
In a statement a spokesperson for Health Minister Sylvia Jones writes:
"Our government knows some Ontarians are spending too much time trying to navigate the healthcare system and travelling too far to access care, that is why we are continuing to improve the Ontario Fertility Program in underserviced areas of the province to ensure patients and their families can have convenient access to treatment and care wherever they live.”
Renée Higgins of Sudbury is grateful there is help from the government but her journey to become a mother has cost her a lot.
The emotional and physical strain of six rounds of IVF, waking up in the dark to make 8 a.m. appointments in Markham, remortgaging her home, and paying $100,000.
Last year, she was surprised to find a stuffed envelope in her mailbox, in response to an application to the Northern Ontario Travel Grant.
"When I opened the envelope, I started crying. It was thick because there were denial letters," Higgins tells CTV News Toronto.
"There's so much more that we can do to help make it easier for people to build their families."
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
Latest deadly weather in U.S. kills at least 20 as storms carve path of ruin across multiple states
Powerful storms killed at least 20 people, injured hundreds and left a wide trail of destruction across Texas, Oklahoma and Arkansas after obliterating homes and destroying a truck stop where dozens sought shelter during the latest deadly weather to strike the central U.S.
What Canadian grocery shoppers need to know about anticompetitive allegations
Amid mounting outrage over high grocery prices, a retail expert says there's a solution to fostering more competition in the country.
Arrests made in 'highly orchestrated' GTA auto theft operation: police
Peel Regional Police say they have arrested 16 suspects and issued arrest warrant for another 10 individuals in connection with an auto theft investigation carried out by a 'highly orchestrated criminal operation.'
North Korea launched a rocket likely carrying a second spy satellite. It's unclear if successful
North Korea launched a rocket likely carrying its second military spy satellite on Monday night, hours after its announcement of a plan to put a satellite into orbit drew strong rebukes from its neighbours.
She developed a passion for genealogy while finding her roots. Now she helps others find their own
Lauren Robilliard always knew she was adopted. As the B.C. native grew older, she developed a passion for genealogy, tracing her roots and paving the way for a career to help others find their own.
Former 'General Hospital' actor Johnny Wactor fatally shot in Los Angeles
Former 'General Hospital' actor Johnny Wactor was fatally shot in downtown Los Angeles while interrupting thieves Saturday, according to his agent and CNN affiliate KABC.
Israeli attack on Rafah tent camp kills 45, prompts global outcry
An Israeli airstrike triggered a massive blaze killing 45 people in a tent camp in the Gaza city of Rafah, officials said on Monday, prompting an outcry from global leaders who urged the implementation of a World Court ruling to halt Israel's assault.
A cross-country look at beer and wine in convenience stores
By Labour Day weekend, Ontarians of legal drinking age could snag a six-pack at their local convenience store on the way to the cottage. But what are alcohol sales like across the country? Here's what we know.
The dreams of a 60-year-old beauty contestant come to an abrupt end in Argentina
A 60-year-old woman saw her dreams of becoming the oldest Miss Universe contestant in history melt away in a haze of sequins and selfies Saturday at Argentina’s annual beauty pageant.