The Parti Quebecois government is considering changes to the province’s in vitro fertilization program.
For the past three years, Medicare has covered fertility treatments, including three rounds of IVF.
The program has proven to be more popular -- and more expensive -- than anticipated.
In an effort to keep the cost of the program in check, Health Minister Rejean Hebert said he wants to take a look at how it is managed, stressing that cutting the program is out of the question.
Last year, Quebec reimbursed 8000 cycles of IVF, at a cost of about $60 million, which is more than anticipated.
After three years of funding fertility treatments, Hebert said it is time to take another look at the program's framework, and perhaps who is eligible for it. He also brings up what he calls “ethical questions,” for instance in one case, a child was taken into the care of youth protection.
Former health minister Yves Bolduc argued that was just one of 1500 births every year, and that the program has dramatically reduced the number of multiple births in Quebec, which was very costly to the system.
Bolduc said the program is the best in the world and should not be touched, adding that he feels this is more likely another effort on the PQ’s part to save money.
The health minister responded by saying there is room for improvement.
“I think there is some improvement to make in management of this program in order to do more for the money… (such as) getting a unique access process in that there is no access to the public sector,” said Health Minister Rejean Hebert.
Hebert has currently mandated a government panel to consult various groups that are involved with the program. The goal is to come up with some guidelines and recommendations. They could be applied in 2014.
