According to
a new study published in the journal Fertility
& Sterility, about 25 million women of reproductive age have limited
or no access to assisted reproductive technology (ART) clinics In the United
States.
As of 2013,
the year with the most recent available data, there are about 510 ART clinics
in the United State. Among those clinics, 442 are in metropolitan areas, which
leave women in less-urban areas with fewer options.
According to TIME.COM, The new report also found
that 18 million women live in an area where there are no ART clinics, and another
6.8 million women live in areas with only one ART clinic. Since most people pay
for fertility services out of pocket, having a choice of where to seek
treatment is important, the researchers argue. Lack of access may limit their
options.
People who want to undergo fertility treatments
already face other barriers, including cost.
Insurance or employer coverage of fertility treatments
is uncommon, and the average cost of an IVF cycle in the U.S. is about $12,400.
Even just an appointment with a fertility specialist can cost from $200-400.
The study authors argue that substantial travel for
fertility treatments adds an additional barrier and expense for women without
access to nearby clinics. "The major access issue is ability to pay for
these services," says study author Dr. John Harris, an assistant professor
of obstetrics, gynecology and reproductive sciences at the University of
Pittsburgh School of Medicine . "But I think there's a subset of people
who are really going to be affected by geography when it comes to getting
treatment."
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