At the risk of sounding like a crabby old mama who finally got hers and has no memory left, I feel compelled to finally say what I think about the notion of insurance for infertility treatment.
Okay, it's not exactly the first time. But it's been awhile, and I don't think I've ever approached the touchy topic from this angle.
"Touchy?" you ask. What could be sensitive about insurance coverage for medical treatments that help men and women achieve what's supposed to be a natural life event, namely, procreation?
Most readers of this blog already know that most people have no insurance coverage for infertility treatment. It feels unfair to those who want that coverage. Even people with huge policies can't get their fertility treatment paid for. It's an old story and one that's been hammered on for decades now by advocates and patients and, sometimes, physicians who each year encourage legislation at different levels that will presumably, one fine day, make all things equal.
So what nudged me over the edge today?
An innocent Facebook post by RESOLVE, echoing the sentiment of Parents Magazine in wishing that all states would mandate fertility insurance coverage. (For those of my friends not in know, some states already do...)
Anybody ever vote for elected officials here?
Ever heard of "divide and conquer" as a strategy to defeat a group's ideas?
Folks. Are you aware of the current situation in this country regarding plain ol' ordinary health insurance?
From CNN's The Chart, March 23, 2011:
"Almost 50 million Americans are without health insurance– 3 million more than a year ago, according to a report from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. The report finds one in five people were uninsured during some portion of the last 12 months."
You know, I was going to rant on and on like I tend to do, but really, I don't think I need to say anything else. Pretty sure you're all smart enough to figure this point out on your own.
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