Funding in Vitro Fertilization: Exploring the Health and Justice Implications of Quebec's Policy

Abstract

On August 5 2010, Quebec became the only jurisdiction in North America to provide publicly funded in vitro fertilization (IVF). This article explores the health and social justice implications of Quebec's policy and argues that the government could do more to ensure the health of Quebeckers accessing IVF treatment and to provide equitable support for individuals seeking to build their families. While the regulations accompanying IVF funding mandating single embryo implantation have the ability to reduce the health risks associated with multiple births, IVF nonetheless has other potential negative health consequences, and long wait times for treatment combined with lowered success rates of single embryo implantation may drive Quebeckers to seek IVF outside of the province or to use artificial insemination with ovarian stimulation. In addition, although this program allows Quebeckers of different socio-economic backgrounds to afford IVF treatment, it is unclear whether individuals who need to use a surrogate mother to conceive will be able to access IVF funding and also whether funding will be available for socially infertile individuals, like same sex couples or single Quebeckers.

Keywords: In vitro fertilization, assisted reproductive technologies, funding, Quebec