Grassroots group tries to pass fertility legislation
A group of women banded together to try to pass legislation to require insurance companies to cover infertility treatments.
and last updated 2021-04-23 22:07:34-04
NASHVILLE, Tenn. (WTVF) â A group of women banded together to try to pass legislation to require insurance companies to cover infertility treatments.
Tennessee Fertility Advocates formed to try to help couples who were trying to overcome infertility issues. One of the members, Kara Edwards, said she realized there was an issue in Tennessee when she and her husband had trouble conceiving after marrying in 2009. Going into our battle, I had no idea insurance didn t cover it, said Edwards. So, I remember calling our agent one day and saying here s what we need. We ve been referred to a specialist and this is what we re going to need to do. We need to know what our deductible is and she said well, we re not going to pay for any of that.
One in six. That s the number of couples who will struggle with infertility in the U.S.
It s a number that can be hard to put into perspective, especially when couples face shame and sadness throughout their infertility journey.
Many families are left to navigate a labyrinth of steep emotional, physical, and financial pains in silence.
In Tennessee, this journey is exacerbated by a lack of mandated fertility coverage. One in Six is a series which shines a light on the question many couples are asking themselves in private:
What would we pay, or give up, to have a child?