Map shows state-by-state disparities on fertility treatment, IVF access
A map released Wednesday grades states based on access to fertility resources.
One in eight couples experience infertility and about 65% of women who seek medical intervention give birth, according to RESOLVE.
RESOLVE: The National Infertility Association's Fertility Scorecard shows Connecticut, Illinois, Maryland, Massachusetts, New Jersey and Rhode Island are the best states for those seeking fertility treatments. Alaska, Mississippi and Wyoming ranked the worst, receiving an F grade.
States were evaluated based on state mandated insurance for infertility treatments, amount of fertility specialists and RESOLVE support groups relative to state's infertile population.
By clicking on each state at www.RESOLVE.org/fertility-scorecard, users can also see the number of women who have experienced physical difficulty becoming pregnant. Blue dots on states indicate state lawmakers have tried to pass laws that restrict or expand access to care for the infertility community.
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Barbara Collura, president/CEO of RESOLVE, told Paste BN while state grades haven't changed much in the last two years (when RESOLVE last released a scorecard), more state lawmakers are increasingly talking about infertility options.
"We were seeing a trend toward a lot more restrictive legislation," Collura said. "That was a trend I was surprised to see and alarmed."
Collura said she believes pushback comes from those who are uncomfortable with untraditional ideas of family.
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An example is Minnesota, where gestational surrogacy (now legal) could be outlawed.
"Minnesota might be going back a couple decades here," Collura said.
On the flip side, there are movements in New York to legalize gestational surrogacy and have state mandated IVF insurance.
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