The Quebec government is preparing to announce it will begin limiting access to the province's free in vitro fertilization program, and there are reports that single mothers and gay couples would no longer be eligible.
In 2010, Quebec became the first province to offer a program to cover all the costs of IVF fertility treatments. Couples were entitled to compensation for up to six IVF attempts. But the program quickly became so popular it ran over budget. The program's costs have soared from $27 million a year to $67 million.
Health Minister Gaetan Barrette says he will present a plan to overhaul the program over the coming weeks.
The minister is expected to make changes to the program this fall. While there are reports that the program would be limited to infertile couples, excluding single mothers and gay and lesbian couples, the minister is not confirming that, reports CTV Montreal's Max Harrold.
As well, there could be changes so that financial aid would be offered in the form of tax credits instead of direct payments.
IVF is a fertility treatment that is often the last resort for couples unable to conceive through natural means or with the help of fertility drugs. The procedure is expensive, costing at least $10,000 per attempt.
Barrette has long voiced his opposition to the government program, saying the treatment is far from "an essential service" and says the program has been treated like an “open bar."
But others have noted the program has also saved the health care system money by reducing the number of multiple births. Outside the program, women are permitted to transfer as many embryos at a time as they like, increasing the chances of conceiving twins, triplets or more. Under the funded program, only one embryo can be transferred.
One study completed a year after the Quebec program came into effect found the rate of twin and triplet births fell dramatically, from 29 per cent to six per cent. The study also found that although that public costs for the treatments increased, the cost per birth decreased.
Earlier this year, Ontario's governing Liberals promised to provide coverage of infertility services to more couples struggling to become pregnant.
The government would pay for one cycle of IVF for all forms of infertility starting in 2015. But the costs of medication, which can run into the thousands of dollars, would not be covered. The province estimated it would pay out $50 million a year once the program was underway.
Manitoba currently offers a tax credit that covers part of the costs of IVF, to a maximum of $8,000 a year.
Quebec's decision to limit aid to infertile couples would have to be studied at the National Assembly to make sure it does not violate the province's charter of human rights.
With files from The Canadian Press
