Report urges government to fund in vitro fertilization

A new study concludes it’s more cost effective for governments to fund in vitro fertilization (IVF) treatments than not to.

The treatment offers an alternative for couples who are not able to conceive naturally. With IVF, an egg is fertilized by sperm outside the body to create an embryo. The embryo or embryos are then implanted in the woman’s uterus. The downsides are that the process can be quite costly and there is no guarantee it will work.

Christine Nordhagen is grateful it worked for her, giving her three beautiful girls, two of them twins. She and her husband had to spend a total of $22,000 on IVF treatments, though. And while she’s thankful it was something they could afford, she knows not every family can.

“If you’re wanting to start a family, I think everyone should have that chance.”

Right now one treatment in Alberta costs around $11,000.

That’s why those undergoing the treatment often have multiple embryos implanted to increase the chance of success, and to avoid paying thousands of dollars more for a second or even third treatment.

Multiple embryos can lead to multiple births, which can have negative consequences.

“The biggest problem with multiple pregnancies is the birth of the babies prematurely,” says Dr. Cal Greene. “This can result in extended stays in neonatal intensive care units, and that’s very expensive.”

The new study, commissioned by the Calgary Regional Fertility Program’s Generation of Hope Fertility Assistance Fund, estimates funding IVF would cost the province up to $29 million annually. However, it would save the health system up to $47 million a year – that’s because of the high health costs of dealing with multiple and premature births. The organization is now petitioning the government to fund fertility treatments.

Alberta’s Health Minister, Fred Horne, says he will review the study, but would not offer any commitments for future funding.

Quebec has been funding up to 3 rounds of IFV treatment per couple since 2010.

That’s led to a decrease in the multiple birth rate, although the Quebec government has no numbers on how much money it has saved.