Please consider signing this petition if you are an employee (faculty or staff) at Wayne State University in Detroit, Michigan.

We the undersigned join with Dr. Kelsey Carpenter in urging you to add an In Vitro Fertilization (IVF) rider benefit to insurance plans offered to Wayne State University employees.

Infertility affects approximately one in six couples globally, meaning they have difficulty conceiving or sustaining a pregnancy and may need medical intervention. Given Wayne State’s 7000 employees, approximately 1200 employees could be affected by infertility. Same-sex couples wanting to grow their families also use medical interventions, such as IVF.  IVF is a medical procedure where a sperm and egg are combined in a lab setting to create an embryo, which is then placed in the uterus. Couples seek these services after trying a range of other services such as medications, acupuncture, intrauterine inseminations, and surgeries. Among couples needing fertility services, 14% report they received IVF. This translates to 163 employees at Wayne State needing IVF to grow their families.

Infertility treatments are expensive, even with limited insurance coverage. Currently, Wayne State’s insurance plans offer no IVF coverage. The average cost of IVF in Michigan ranges between $15,000 and $30,000 per cycle, including medications. Most patients require multiple cycles or additional services, bringing the total cost to $30,000 to $60,000. Unfortunately, these high costs mean many couples forgo IVF, even though this benefit would not increase health care costs for employers. A 2021 survey found 97% of employers offering infertility coverage did not experience a significant increase in their medical costs, even when IVF was included.

Lastly, several other institutions in Michigan offer IVF benefits, like the University of Michigan and Henry Ford Hospitals. Studies show that employees with IVF coverage through their employer were less likely to miss time from work due to treatments, psychological stress, depression or other conditions related to infertility; were more likely to recommend their employer as a place to work; were more likely to work harder; were more likely to remain in their job for a longer period; and felt their employer listened and met their needs and cared about their well-being. IVF coverage not only benefits the individuals who need it but also their co-workers and their employer.

Wayne State already leads the way with various resources and programs to support families. Now we need your support for IVF insurance coverage to ensure all Wayne State employees, regardless of socio-economic status or sexual orientation, can grow their families.