Support the Family Building Act of 2001 (H.R. 389)

To:  U.S. Congress

We, the undersigned, urge you to co-sponsor and/or support the Family Building Act of 2001 (H.R. 389). This act will amend the Public Health Service Act, the Employee Retirement Income Security Act of 1974, and chapter 89 of title 5, United States Code to require that all health plans cover the diagnosis and treatment of infertility. Infertility treatments include ovulation induction, artificial insemination, in vitro fertilization (IVF), gamete intrafallopian transfer (ZIFT), intracytoplasmic sperm injection (ICSI), and other "non-experimental" treatments. The entire bill can be viewed by going to http://thomas.loc.gov and searching for H.R. 389.

This piece of legislation would improve the lives of millions of Americans. Infertility is a disease that affects over six million people, approximately 10\% of the population of reproductive age. For many people, raising a family is one of the most basic human desires. Unfortunately the infertile population are frequently denied insurance coverage for their disease. Insurance companies either do not offer coverage or have infertility riders, which employers can opt to decline. Depending on a couple's financial means, infertile Americans either do not get treatment or spend their savings to conceive.

Historically, insurance companies did not offer coverage, because infertility treatments, such as IVF, were considered experimental and not highly effective. Now in 2002, IVF and other reproductive technologies have been in use for over 20 years. More than 72,000 babies have been born in the United States using assisted reproductive technologies since 1980. These treatments are no longer experimental and can be extremely effective in conceiving a child. Why then are insurance companies permitted to omit coverage for our reproductive systems, when they are required to offer coverage for our other critical health needs?

We, the people who have signed this petition, believe that the government and insurance companies have denied us vital medical coverage for infertility long enough. We believe that H.R. 389 should be made into law to aid us in early diagnosis and treatment of this disease. Please pass H.R. 389 so that we all have the opportunity to fulfill our basic human desire to become parents.

Thank You

Sincerely,

The Undersigned

The Support the Family Building Act of 2001 (H.R. 389) Petition to U.S. Congress was created by Resolve of Houston and written by Resolve of Houston (alant@texas.net).  This petition is hosted here at www.PetitionOnline.com as a public service. There is no endorsement of this petition, express or implied, by Artifice, Inc. or our sponsors. For technical support please use our simple Petition Help form.