in vitro fertilization alberta
family,  Health

IVF Math in Alberta – How Does IVF Funding in Alberta Save Money? #abhc4ivf #abpoli

September 1, 2015 /

IVF Alberta Aug17IVF Math really isn’t that complicated. Areas of the world that fund in vitro fertilization, with a stipulation of single embryo transfer, save money. The above IVF funding in Alberta infographic breaks it down. In 2013 the Government of Alberta commissioned a report done by the University of Alberta’s School of Public Health to review the province’s approach to IVF. That report indicated the province could save as much as $179 million over the course of 18 years if single embryo transfer were publicly funded and IVF regulated.

Alberta, like much of the rest of the country, is forced to make some serious smart economic decisions for the future. A new government this year under the NDP party headed by Rachel Notley is currently undergoing pre-budget consultations. SO, the time is right for advocates to speak up, tell their stories and help politicians understand IVF math. If IVF were tied to single embryo transfer, savings of up to $179 million could be realized over the first 18 years of life. Shortly after 18 the child starts to contribute to the economy as a taxpayer.

Why does SET ( single embryo transfer) and IVF funding make sense? Because when couples are forced to take on three jobs, or take out a bank loan to pay for IVF, they tend to take more risks transferring multiple embryos. Multiples come with higher risk of health complications to Mom and baby. In the end they cost much more to the health care system.

[tweetthis]Alberta can’t afford the status quo. IVF funding is necessary to save health care dollars #abhc4ivf #abpoli [/tweetthis]

Here’s How You Can Help:

Share this post. Share this infographic and talk to your MLA about why Alberta can’t afford to wait to fund IVF. 

Ontario is currently building an IVF funding program expected to be ready to announce any time now. It was promised for 2015 and the Ontario government is making good on that promise. Right now, Manitoba, Ontario, Quebec and New Brunswick all have a commitment to fund, or a funding program of some sort in place to help infertility patients access vital health care treatment to help them conceive. In Manitoba that’s a tax credit. In New Brunswick it’s a grant.

It’s time Alberta had an IVF funding program too. It makes economic sense. Alberta can’t afford the status quo.

I am community manager for Generations of Hope and as such I am compensated. My opinion is all my own and it is truthful.

Mom of two beautiful active girls, traveller, fitness junkie, social media consultant, and keeper of the sanity.

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47 Comments

  • Robin (Masshole Mommy)

    September 3, 2015 at 4:18 pm

    I think any woman who wants a baby should be able to get treatments and help if she can’t do it on her own!

  • CATHERINE s

    September 3, 2015 at 6:21 pm

    Thanks for the informative post. After reading this it sure makes sense to me. This sounds like it will be a great program.

  • Pam

    September 3, 2015 at 9:24 pm

    I didn’t realize the costs of IVF were so high. I have heard of many people having multiples with IVF. SET just seems to make sense.

  • Liz

    September 3, 2015 at 9:45 pm

    The expense of IVF can be just too much for some people. I’m glad this is starting up in an effort to save dollars big-picture.

  • Dawn

    September 3, 2015 at 10:54 pm

    First of all, I think that the IVF funding program makes total sense and every couple deserves the right to be parents. I am very blessed, thank God, I was able to conceive on my own. Second, our government loves to spend on other areas that to me is no where near as important as having a baby and the wonderful experience of having a child.

    • Paula

      September 4, 2015 at 3:36 am

      Dawn: I agree!! The savings here make sense for so many reasons. Plus healthy families matter in each province so it’s time for Alberta to do this.

  • maya fitzpatrick

    September 4, 2015 at 1:12 am

    I honestly believe this issue is Canadian wide. I have no idea why IVF isn’t government paid. It should be!!! I’m behind you and this logic 100%. It’ll save our health care system so much money in the long run among other benefits.

  • Little Miss Kate

    September 4, 2015 at 3:05 am

    Those numbers add up to some awesome health care savings. Imaging where else they could put the money towards that will not be needed for NICU stays from high risk pregnancies.
    Plus there is the emotional costs that are not factored in as well.

  • Jeanine

    September 4, 2015 at 3:49 am

    I think this should be funded all over Canada (if it isn’t yet, I’m not really sure) I know quite a few people who have had such struggles and couldn’t afford to go forward with IVF or adoption because it’s just too expensive.

  • Annemarie LeBlanc

    September 4, 2015 at 10:01 am

    It makes me sad that there are some couple willing to spend so much just to have a baby of their own. On the other end of the spectrum, there are women who abort their babies, unknowing how important a baby would mean to some. I hope IVF gets the proper funding.

  • Pamela Gurganus

    September 4, 2015 at 2:14 pm

    This was a very interesting and shocking read! I had no idea that such practices could save so much money!

  • Ann Bacciaglia

    September 4, 2015 at 2:22 pm

    This is such an interesting post. I think IVF should be covered. I can not imagine the struggles family’s face that want to have a baby so badly and can not afford the high cost of IVF.

  • Jenna H

    September 4, 2015 at 9:57 pm

    I think IVf should be funded. I can’t imagine desperately wanting a child and the struggle of not being able to have one because of costs.

  • lisa

    September 4, 2015 at 10:32 pm

    I am past the child bearing years. What I see is that there are so many children that need a loving home, yet people feel the need to produce their own. If there is enough love, and money, adopt a child.

  • Amy GREEN

    September 5, 2015 at 2:27 am

    I think that there should be IVF funding in Alberta. Starting a family is such an important stage in people’s lives. With a program like this, the more people that get to participate, the better off everyone will ultimately be. It is not always widely communicated the large expenses-both financial and emotional-that difficulty conceiving can be. The SET program sounds like a smart and safe path for many. If all of these ideas were communicated widely, perhaps through social media, then the importance of this life-aiding program could be known.

  • Amanda Ripsam

    September 5, 2015 at 2:57 am

    I love that you are being a champion for the Ivf funding cause. I grew up in Toronto Ontario Canada so I’m proud that the country I cam from is helping to support family’s who wish to go this rout for a child.

  • Lisa Sicora

    September 5, 2015 at 3:41 am

    Kudos to you! There are not alot of blogs/sites that address IVF and it is much needed by so many couples! Way to go!

  • Charlene

    September 5, 2015 at 8:17 am

    I think by helping a couple with IVF it helps so that these couples only have one child not many babies. In the long run this helps the public programs save money. Multiple births costs the city because there are usually health problems when more then one child is born.

  • Karen jaras

    September 5, 2015 at 6:05 pm

    I wish there would have been funding when I was trying to get pregnant. It is a shame to have to forgo a family because of lack in funds.

  • Dianne Mumpower

    September 5, 2015 at 8:00 pm

    Such an interesting article. I really like that you not only addressed the immediate expense, but also that which will occurr down the road if multiple IVF transplants are done at the same time. Or at least the risk of such. I wish the future economical affects were taken into consideration on a lot of issues, especially those involving health care. So many Insurance companies today will not pay for preventive care. They prefer to gamble with our lives and wait to see if something bad does happen first. This needs to change.

  • Katherine Riley

    September 6, 2015 at 8:54 am

    I guess the US isn’t the only place having healthcare woes. We have a son and daughter in law that are trying IVF treatments, but they are limited by their budget and insurance as to how many times they can try too.

  • Rosie

    September 6, 2015 at 6:56 pm

    I always assumed Canadian health insurance is a dream – but I see it is a complicated system and you don’t just get everything paid for, an eye opener

  • Patricia Delgado

    September 6, 2015 at 7:11 pm

    I am sharing this post. I think a woman who desperately wants a baby should get the help to fund it.