Progressive Study from Malta
Posted on May 27, 2008
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It seems most other countries are more advanced or at least more open to discuss the topic of infertility than we are in the USA. If you listen to the podcasts by Aaron & Malky Benedict you’ll note that the majority of the infertility news they discuss are studies based out of Europe. I found this article in MaltaToday and was nodding my head in agreement and excited to see this argument in print AND by an expert in the field, even if it’s not in the USA.
The article states: “Charles Savona Ventura an associate Professor of Obstetrics and Gynaecology in the Faculty of Medicine and Surgery and one of the authors of the study believes that the state should start offering infertility treatments in the national health scheme. One reason for state intervention in this sector is affordability.” Professor Venture goes on to say, “Infertile couples are so desperate that they are ready to undertake extreme sacrifices to try and achieve a pregnancy. This can result in further stresses in their relationships.” …Been there, done that!
I think my favorite part of this article is this section: “But Savona Ventura notes that: “if the state hospital is already making freely available non-medically essential treatment options in other branches of medicine, then infertility management should be considered for introduction.” He also cites studies confirming that it would be financially cheaper to introduce a regulated infertility service than to be forced to care for the premature infants born from unregulated high tech infertility management.” …This is one of my arguments when I talk with people to educate them on infertility. It’s also a great argument for when your talking with someone who doesn’t want to see infertility treatments offered in their health insurance plans because it’ll increase their rates–sorry Charley, that info is misunderstood, let me educate you on the truth…!
Since I’m not a geography whiz, I had to determine just where the heck Malta was. It is an country/island in Southern Europe on the Mediterranean Sea — off the coast of South Italy. Malta has about 360,000 inhabitants between it’s two islands. There is an associate professor in Malta that recognizes the risks of triplets and quads (and twins are mentioned in the article too) and is challenging the politicians to make changes. I wish him the best of luck.
What is it going to take for change to occur in the USA? RESOLVE has the Family Building Act and has been lobbying for mandated insurance coverage, of which 15 states offer some form of fertility treatments. At what point will infertility be recognized as a disease? At what point will the insurance companies realize that caring for premature infants is a lot more expensive than infertility treatments? For those still trying to build their families, I hope its soon.
Creative Commons image courtesy of papalars
» Filed Under Infertility, Premature Births
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4 Responses to “Progressive Study from Malta”
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As someone who does NOT live in one of the few US states to offer/mandate infertility coverage, I agree with you wholeheartedly. I was lucky enough to at least have diagnostic testing covered, but anything past that was completely out of pocket. Apparently it doesn’t matter that I have an medical problem, an endocrine disorder; because it has to do with my girly bits, it’s automatically unimportant.
Some of our diagnostic testing was covered, but not all of it. Some of the states with “coverage” allow it to be the employers choice to offer infertility treatments. It’s really not about ‘fair’ so much as it is about ‘a right’ - all other diseases are covered; IF should be too.
Malta has a much more enlightened understanding of why health care coverage for infertility is not just the right thing to do for couples who have conditions contributing to infertility but for society at large that will benefit from well managed building and growing of families and future generations…
I’m over from NaComLeavMo. I love your site. It has so much great information. Thanks!