Are IVF treatments fairly available with only one Northern clinic?

Registered Nurse Coordinator Donna Plue says their clinic offers artificial insemination and cycle monitoring, a cost that runs between 400 and 600-dollars, and the government coverage will be unlimited.

The Ontario government says 50 clinics across the province will offer government-funded fertility treatments, including three in Waterloo Region.

An estimated one in six Ontario couples is affected by infertility.

Multiple eggs and embryos may be possible during one cycle of the IVF treatment.

Officials estimate the funding will help support over 5,000 people trying to have children throughout the province each year.

The program will fund one cycle of in vitro fertilization, which includes one-at-a-time transfer of embryos to reduce high risk multiple birth pregnancies.

Patients with medical issues that cause infertility qualify for treatment, as well as non-medically related infertile patients – including singles and same-sex couples.

The government will continue to work with the fertility implementation advisory working group to monitor the success of the new Fertility Program.

“Children are our future and, by creating a more equitable and accessible fertility program, the government is supporting family-building for those who couldn’t otherwise have the opportunity to have children”, Health Minister Eric Hoskins said in a statement.

The move expands access to in vitro fertilization (IVF) services in the province from the existing $20 million in funding.

Plue says the government-funded fertility treatment is simply wonderful because a lot of people couldn’t afford the procedure, even just artificial insemination.