Date
The Honorable (Name)
Address
Dear Senator/Representative (Name):
I am writing about a disease that impacts the lives of more than 6 million men and women across the country: infertility. I am one of the many who has struggled with this disease. I have faced obstacles in my attempts to build a much-wanted family; the most challenging is the lack of insurance coverage. I am asking for your support and leadership in efforts to end the discriminatory practices of insurance companies and to enact a federal mandate for infertility insurance coverage.
Infertility is a medically-recognized disease. Still, many insurance companies do not provide coverage for treatment to overcome this disease. The financial burden that some of the treatments may place on couples can be large, and the emotional and physical consequences of experiencing infertility can be overwhelming. The strong desire to build a family gives me the strength to face these obstacles, but I also need your support.
Well-managed insurance coverage will not place a large burden on insurance companies. Studies have shown that coverage adds just a few dollars per year to an insurance premium. Infertile couples pay the same premiums as fertile couples, but are not able to access needed care. Most diseases and medical conditions are covered by insurance. The disease of infertility is often singled out for exclusion. Such discrimination is unfair.
The United States Supreme Court issued a ruling in 1998 in which it stated that reproduction is a major life activity under the Americans with Disabilities Act. This ruling demonstrates the importance of reproduction and the impact that infertility, in which the ability to reproduce is impaired, has on the lives of men and women. The ruling supports the need for infertility insurance coverage so that those with infertility are not unfairly discriminated against when denied coverage for this disease while most other diseases are covered.
Many affected by infertility do not feel comfortable speaking publicly about this very private struggle, but we represent all racial, religious, and ethnic groups, as well as both sexes. We are neighbors, co-workers, friends and relatives, and we just want to experience the joy of raising a family, an experience that so many fertile couples take for granted.
Thank you for your consideration of this important issue. I hope that you will be able to help in efforts to mandate insurance coverage of infertility treatments. Such legislation would help to fulfill the dreams of thousands of couples. For more information about infertility and about the costs and benefits of insurance coverage, contact RESOLVE, The National Infertility Association, at 617-623-1156.
Sincerely yours,
Name
Address
Copyright 1999. The American Surrogacy Center, Inc.(TASC), Kennesaw, GA
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