The panel has posted a survey to gain input from anyone who has accessed the province’s infertility or adoption services in the last decade, or is a provider of services, is adopted or donor conceived, or wants to share an opinion.
“I know that many people face challenges when creating families,” said David Johnston, Chair of the panel in a news release. “The panel is looking at ways to make family building easier, and that’s why we want to hear from Ontarians about what currently works well and what needs to be improved.”
The survey is open until December 15, 2008. Participation is voluntary and anonymous.
Personal Interviews on Infertility / Adoption Experiences
At the completion of the survey, respondents are invited to send their contact information to the Ministry of Child and Youth Services. Respondents who do this may be able to participate in the panel's next information-gathering stage - personal interviews.
“A select number of individuals will be chosen to participate in either face-to-face or telephone interviews,” wrote MCYS senior policy analyst Barbara Dominic in an email. “These interviews will be conducted by a researcher hired by MCYS, Infertility and Adoption Secretariat, to learn about people’s infertility and/or adoption experiences.”
About Ontario’s Expert Panel on Infertility and Adoption
The province appointed the panel in July of 2008. The twelve members include people who have experienced infertility, adoptive parents and representatives from the medical field and adoption community.
The panel will advise the Ontario government on how to improve access to infertility treatments and fertility monitoring, as well as how to improve Ontario’s adoption system.
“Infertility and adoption can be an emotional challenge for many people,” said David Caplan, Minister of Health and Long-Term Care, in a news release. “This panel will ultimately help prospective parents overcome the obstacles they face during this process.”
The panel will present its recommendations to the Ontario Minister of Children and Youth Services by July 2009.
The Province of Ontario: Infertility and Adoption
According to the province’s statistics, one in ten Ontarians and approximately one in six women over the age of 30 are affected by infertility.
Ontario’s health insurance program (OHIP) does not cover the costs of fertility treatments such as intra-uterine insemination (IUI), although it will cover three rounds of in-vitro fertilization (IVF) only if the female suffers from bilateral tubal blockage. The costs of medication in treatment cycles are not covered.
Approximately 850 adoptions were completed through Ontario’s children’s aid societies in 2006.
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