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The Ontario Fertility Program – Jacquie’s Story #IVF4ON
This month marks the first anniversary of The Ontario Fertility Program. The highly anticipated program has increased access to fertility treatment for many in Ontario who previously couldn’t afford the cost of assisted reproductive therapy. The Ontario Fertility Program has helped about 5,000 patients. It has given hope to many infertility patients, closure to some, and it has made family a reality for thousands like Jacquie. More than 50 clinics in the province offer the Ontario Fertility Program for patients who qualify. You must have a valid Ontario health card and be under 43 to access the program. Patients who qualify are eligible for one IVF cycle per lifetime. The Ontario…
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Nine More Things We Want You To Know About Infertility. All The Feelings Are Real #ohip4ivf #onpoli
There are babies everywhere right now. Facebook is a constant eruption of sonogram pictures and people are forever happily announcing the birth of their babies. It’s a super challenging time of year for so many reasons. Spring and summer forces everyone outdoors and strollers are plentiful, which is wonderful for so many reasons AND it’s also painful for those still trying to conceive. It can be even more devastating for those who have recently miscarried. 1 in 6 struggle to conceive. Many are infertile as a result of other health conditions. Cancer, PCOS, endometriosis, abdominal scarring, Crohn’s Disease – are just a few of the things that can lead to…
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Five Steps to Becoming a More Healthy and Empowered Patient
How many times have you gone to the doctor and felt less than happy with the visit? Do you leave feeling like an empowered patient or not?If you spend any time at all visiting this blog, then you know I often write about health matters. I write almost as often about advocacy and causes that matter to me. The lives of the members of my family intersect often with the traditional health care system. I was a child when I was diagnosed with Crohn’s Disease and I spent many weeks, months and school vacations in the hospital or racing back and forth to doctor’s appointments. I never felt like I…
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Infertility Community Reacts to IVF Funding Announcement for Ontario #ivf4ON #onpoli
Ontario’s infertility community reacted with many emotions this week to news that IVF will soon be funded. That’s long awaited for many who took two or three jobs and sometimes used credit cards and second mortgages to be able to pay for health care treatment needed to get the health care treatment prescribed. Last Thursday, Ontario’s Minister of Health and Longterm Care Deb Matthews announced that public funding would be made available for in vitro fertilization. IVF funding is part of the draft budget officially. The funding will take place starting in 2015. An advisory committee or board will be appointed to help roll the program out. There will be…
