[Vogi2002]

Sorry, should have been more clear in my previous post. What I meant by foster being covered is that, normally, there is minimal to nill expenses involved in that route. Foster/adopting through the state is not always an older child adoption, infants are available. I'm not saying that you should HAVE to go that route, I'm saying it is an option available. I personally, am going through an agency, for various reasons, but am willing to pay the costs (not saying i'm happy about it at ALL).

With the hip replacement example, that is all it was, is an example, of how quality of life could be portrayed. One persons opinion is completely different from anothers. Infertility is something that, until experienced, people just don't understand why it is so important. I even had someone tell me that costs shouldn't be covered because they could "just" adopt. HA.

I guess I do not expect adoption to be covered by medical insurance. Do I think that they could have a certain amount (maybe 5,000) go TOWARD adoption cost? Maybe. But I just am not sold on that idea. I say take the money that they were going to spend and put it towards finding a solution to high adoption prices period (legislation, etc). But if it goes directly toward the costs agencies will just raise the prices to adopt and it will even out.

I do however, think infertility SHOULD be covered (i'm still deciding on if IVF should, really your not talking about 10,000 that it would cost toward insurance companie, with all thier discounts, it would probably be about 5,000, so put a maximum to three or what not...anyways, jurys still out on that one). But definetely IUI or at least sonograms. Many people do not understand that NOTHING is covered with infertility in many cases. Sonograms, blood tests, NOTHING. THAT is ridiculous to me. The same procedure is covered for discomfort but if anywhere on there is because infertility it's not covered. Where we pay 100$ for a blood test it would cost the insurance company 50 with all thier discounts....

Is infertility more important than adoption? No, but adoption is not really a "medical" issue per say (meaning, not a exact "procedure" done, or a "blood test" so there is a very specific cost). So there would be fluctuating costs, all across the board.

I actually think the IVF comparison is mute because not many insurance companies cover this, as a matter of fact MOST don't. I don't know ANYone who has insurance that covers it (although I'm sure there are some). I do know that some do put money toward adoption (not sure who/what/which company) but I do know of people who have recieved this. Adoption has so many facets, are you talking about covering the labor, the agency fee, the bmom expenses, the travel expenses, the homestudy...I mean would you expect your insurance company to pay for the lawyer fee to finalize?

Great discussion...hope you didn't take offense to anything, it's just my opinion and is subject to change, haven't thought about it much really...

Natalie