Cover fertility services

As fertility doctors in Spokane, we find our work extremely rewarding. Helping patients achieve their dream of conceiving a child brings us great joy.

Yet, we also know that for many patients the cost of fertility care is a significant burden. Most of our patients do not have insurance that covers infertility treatment and must find a way to pay for it themselves. Some use up their savings; others take on debt.

Currently, only 15 states have laws requiring insurance coverage for infertility treatment. Unfortunately, Washington is not one of them. The hard reality is that cost remains a significant challenge, and sometimes a barrier, for patients struggling to overcome infertility. Sadly, even military veterans whose injuries have made them infertile still do not have full access to fertility services.

When will we, as a society, recognize that infertile couples and individuals who want to bear children should have access to affordable treatment options? We strive to find ways to keep treatment as affordable as possible, such as offering package pricing for in vitro fertilization. But what is really needed is a concerted effort to extend insurance coverage to include fertility services so that all patients have access.

Brenda Houmard and Thomas Fisher

Liberty Lake