Hello everyone,

We invite you to read the following statement from the Association des fertologues du Québec (AFQ), which we endorse. Treatments related to in vitro fertilization will be able to resume in our clinic as of tomorrow, Monday February 21. However, intrauterine inseminations and donor inseminations remain suspended for the time being.

We know how difficult it has been and we would like to thank you again for your support during these past few months.

-------------------

The AFQ announces the beginning of participation in the medically assisted reproduction program but will continue to fight for infertile patients and couples.

The Association des fertologues du Québec (AFQ) would like to respond to the Radio-Canada article last Friday about the medically assisted reproduction program and Minister Lionel Carmant's position.

For months, Minister Carmant has been using the media to make announcements about the program. Through the media, we learned a month ago of the Minister's decision to set up a committee to review the technical fee subsidies that he first imposed on everyone in an ad hoc manner on November 15.

It was also through the media that we learned last Friday, from the press secretary of the Minister, that he was going to table his final position on the revision of the subsidies for in vitro fertilization (IVF).

The AFQ can only be exasperated by how the Minister has handled this critical issue. For more than three months now, patients, infertile couples and assisted reproduction centres (ARCs) have been held hostage.

While the committee's work was only supposed to take a few days, the Minister took almost three weeks to make an initial review of the IVF funding. The 70% increase that was finally granted for IVF is an admission that the subsidy set three months ago was totally unreasonable.

The AFQ was informed:

• That the Minister still did not want to enter into an agreement with the ARCs but instead limited himself to revising the subsidies in his program;

• That the increase to $6627.10 for the subsidy payable for a cycle of IVF was his final position, while this is still less than the estimated amount required by the ARCs;

• Other issues still need to be addressed, including subsidies payable for artificial insemination, management of sperm straws, directed donations[CM1] , clarification of certain insured services, streamlining of the administrative process, etc.

We are disappointed but firmly committed to finding a solution and putting patients first. That is why, despite the challenges that remain, we are announcing the following:

• To the extent possible, we encourage our members to begin their participation in the IVF component of the medically assisted reproduction program by starting the process of offering these services to their patients and receiving the revised IVF grant for the next six months. We recognize given the revised amount that some clinics that have decided to leave the public funding system may not be able to return.

• We remain convinced that formal agreements between the Minister and the ARCs are necessary to ensure the program's quality, which cannot be based on simple grants decreed unilaterally by the Minister. There is no reason why these agreements cannot be reached in the next six months. 

• Starting tomorrow and during this period, we intend to intercede with the Minister to resolve all remaining issues. This must be done more quickly, as our patients cannot be subjected to further delays in the decision-making process. Fertility specialists and private clinics want nothing more than to treat their patients. We have repeatedly asked for an interim solution at current market prices so that we can participate in the program, while continuing discussions. Unfortunately, this request went unheeded, and the Minister must consider it again for the remaining issues, including artificial insemination.

• Given the delays that have occurred over the past three months, we are asking the government to extend the age of eligibility for the fertility program on a transitional basis so that none of the patients suffer the consequences of these undue delays.

Once again, we would like to thank the patients and infertile couples who are supporting us in this fight. We are determined to continue our efforts to ensure that Quebecers have access to a quality medically assisted reproduction program.

 [CM1]ntd: Client to review to ensure the right English terminology for these medical items is correct