Thursday, October 24, 2024
Ontario. Ministry of Health - [Toronto - University Avenue] - [Public Health Care]
Ontario Helping More People Start and Grow Their Families
New tax credit and $150 million investment will dramatically increase the number of families able to receive publicly funded treatment
The Ontario government is investing $150 million over two years to expand the Ontario Fertility Program to cut waitlists and triple the number of families connecting to government-funded fertility services in hospital and community clinic settings. This includes giving patients more options where they can access publicly funded fertility services by expanding the program to more clinics. The province is also proposing to introduce a new tax credit, effective January 2025, to further reduce the financial burden faced by people seeking fertility treatment.
“There’s no role more special or important than being a parent,” said Sylvia Jones, Deputy Premier and Minister of Health. “I’m thrilled that our government is helping more people start and grow their families by expanding the Ontario Fertility Program and introducing a new tax credit to help with the sometimes overwhelming expenses of fertility treatments. Everyone in Ontario, no matter their economic means, deserves the special chance at parenthood.”
The government’s new tax credit would also provide further financial support to families seeking fertility treatment by building on Ontario’s existing medical expense tax credit to cover up to 25 per cent of eligible expenses up to a maximum of $5,000 per year. For example, a family who incurs $20,000 for a privately funded IVF treatment could be eligible to receive $5,000 in support. The tax credit will help cover eligible expenses including IVF cycles, fertility medications, travel for treatment and diagnostic testing.
“We believe strong families help build strong communities, which is why our government is enhancing health care access and providing families with the support they need to navigate their fertility journeys,” said Peter Bethlenfalvy, Minister of Finance. “With these new investments, we are reducing cost barriers and helping more people and families across the province achieve their dream of becoming parents.”
Through Your Health: A Plan for Connected and Convenient Care, the Ontario government is making steady progress to ensure the health care system has become better equipped to respond to the needs of patients and provide them with access to high-quality care where and when they need it, closer to home.
More information about the government’s plan to make health care more connected and convenient will be included in the 2024 Ontario Economic Outlook and Fiscal Review, to be released on October 30, 2024.
Quick Facts:
- The OFP currently supports 50 Ontario clinics that provide publicly funded fertility services, including artificial insemination, intra-uterine insemination (IUI), in vitro fertilization (IVF), and fertility preservation.
- Since the launch of the OFP, funding has been provided to over 107,000 Ontarians to help them build their families.
- 42,741 patients have received publicly funded IVF services
- 59,448 patients have received publicly funded IUI services
- 4,857 patients have received publicly funded fertility preservation services
- The government is setting aside $150 million to expand access to fertility services over two years, with further details to be provided in the 2025 Budget.
- Through OFP, each patient is eligible for one publicly funded IVF cycle in their lifetime, and an additional cycle if they have acted or is acting as a surrogate.
Quotes:
"By expanding the Ontario Fertility Program, we are sending out a powerful message about our government’s commitment to supporting families. This expansion is not just a policy decision – it's a lifeline for families whose dreams of having children felt impossible."
- Christine Hogarth, MPP, Etobicoke—Lakeshore
"As a fertility patient, I want to extend my heartfelt thanks to the Ontario government for improving access to fertility treatments and making life more affordable for families like mine. This government is listening to patients and giving us renewed hope and support as we look to build our families."
- Zane Colt, Board Chair, Conceivable Dreams
"With continued advances in the reproductive medicine field, fertility clinic teams have valuable knowledge and technology to achieve more successful patient outcomes. This very welcomed investment by the Ontario government will reduce difficult barriers for people needing vital treatment."
- Dr. Dan Nayot, Medical Director, The Fertility Partners
"I want to thank the government for recognizing the importance of affordable fertility care for families in Ontario. This forward-thinking approach is transforming lives, allowing us, as fertility doctors, to provide support to our patients, who can now focus on their treatment with less worry about costs."
- Dr. Meivys Garcia-Erdeljan, Medical Director, Markham Fertility Centre
"Infertility creates so many challenges to so many couples, anything the government can do to change this must be applauded. On behalf of couples struggling with infertility thank you for making this a priority."
- Denise Levin, Executive Director, Small Wonders
"Today’s announcement is a big step in improving access and reducing financial barriers for fertility patients. Thank you for putting patients first and helping them take this next step towards building their families."
- Dr. Kim Liu, Medical Director, Mount Sinai Fertility
"CFAS has been supporting the development of professionals working in the field of Assisted Reproductive Technology for 70 years to responsibly advance reproductive science and medicine in Canada. This announcement from the Ontario government is a major advancement in both the level of support and funding models utilized provincially – showcasing Ontario as a leader within Canada and globally. The expanded fertility support program will undoubtedly have a positive impact on those currently facing fertility struggles and the many citizens yet to embark on this journey. Expanding support utilizing an inclusive approach for all persons seeking assistance, irrespective of gender, sexual orientation, or family status is a critical foundation to increasing access and one CFAS fully supports. By increasing the number of clinics that can offer the program, wait times will be reduced and patients in more rural areas will have increased access, helping support equitable care."
- Emily McIntosh, Executive Director, Canadian Fertility and Andrology Society
"We know that age plays a crucial role in fertility and the success of fertility treatments, so it's encouraging to see the government enhancing access to ensure that individuals won't have to wait as long for essential care."
- Eileen McMahon, Nurse Practitioner, Hannam Fertility Centre
"Twig Fertility strongly supports the Government of Ontario’s efforts in expanding resources and access to fertility treatments for families struggling to conceive. As a former fertility patient, my wife and I experienced first-hand the weight of the financial and emotional burden many Ontarians must go through to grow their families. Globally, 1 in 6 people will encounter fertility issues at some point in their lives, and this number is almost certainly higher in Ontario. Today, people are delaying family building, which can contribute to difficulties with conceiving, and this trend continues to grow. The low and declining birth rate in Ontario will inevitably have negative economic and social consequences in the coming decades. At Twig Fertility, we strongly believe that additional government resources and options will benefit Ontarians who need access to treatments to grow their families. We look forward to continued collaboration with the Ontario government to help ease the burden for those struggling to conceive and ensure that anyone who dreams of becoming a parent has the support and resources they need."
- Tanner Kohara, Co-Founder, President and Executive Chairman, Twig Fertility
"As a Reproductive Endocrinology and Infertility (REI) specialist at Twig Fertility, I meet patients every day who will benefit from increased government resources and options to support them in their treatment journey. Twig's entire team of specialists and care staff are passionate about providing care to Ontarians who need it. Additional resources from the Ontario government will allow us to utilize our expertise and our clinic’s capacity to serve more patients and address gaps in access to fertility care in Ontario."
- Dr. Rhonda Zwingerman, Co-Founder and Medical Director, Twig Fertility
Additional Resources:
Media Contacts:
Hannah Jensen
Minister Jones’ Office
Hannah.R.Jensen@ontario.ca
Media Relations
Communications Branch
media.moh@ontario.ca
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