So,I'm all fired up about "Octomom" and the lack of oversight for fertility clinics. Then, I started getting all upset when I read another article about maternity leave in the States vs. other countries. Happy Monday, eh?
In Sweden, "we have a slogan: One at a time," said Dr. Karl Nygren, former head of an IVF monitoring committee for the European Society of Human Reproduction and Embryology.
Seventy percent of in vitro fertilization procedures in Sweden involved only a single embryo in 2005, according to Nygren. For Europe, the average was 20 percent. By contrast, only 11 percent in the U.S. involved one embryo in 2006.
A key difference, though, is that health programs in Europe cover the cost, so that if one attempt fails, women can try again without having to worry about the expense.
In the U.S., most patients have to foot the bill for IVF, which costs about $12,400 per attempt. Only 14 states make insurers cover some infertility treatments.
Wow. I am not a fan of socialized medicine, but can you imagine how amazing it would be to have public health coverage for multiple IVF treatments? Then, I read another article about maternity leave (and or lack of in the states)
AND our disability/health coverage system stinks for new parents too. 6 weeks paid time off, vs. 14-16 months in Canada and Sweden. Folks, I think our system needs some serious revamping!
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Seriously...don't get me started on Octomom...I'll get too fired up....
ReplyDeleteI get SO, SO mad about that stupid woman.... ERRR!
ReplyDeleteCrazy isnt it? Here in Cairo we have been able to do so many IVF cycles cause its affordable, alot more than back home (USA) anyway. Is the treatment less quality, I would say no. The drugs here, just as an example, are SO SO SO much less- they dont have big pharmaceutical lobbies to support or insurance companies to milk. They are the exact same drugs used in IVF protocol over there. Its insane in the States, but actually I have to say despite the costs the medical care and drugs there i think it is some of THE best care anywhere in the world seriously.
ReplyDeleteThat was very interesting. It makes a lot of sense. If our IVF's were covered there wouldn't be such a sense of urgency for it to work when you pay out of pocket each time. Esp. for those like me and my husband who never had enough embryos to freeze.
ReplyDeleteI am reaching out to my fellow bloggers to introduce my non profit, Parenthood for Me.org. Our mission is to provide financial and emotional support to those starting families through adoption or medical intervention. Please visit our website and blog and pass the link on. Thank you for your support. I look forward to reading your blog
Sincerely,
Erica Schlaefer