Premier Andrew Furey’s election commitment to establish an in-vitro fertilization (IVF) clinic in Newfoundland and Labrador is moving forward, with the provincial government announcing the expansion of fertility services to include IVF treatment and egg preservation.
Currently, Newfoundland and Labrador Fertility Services offers intrauterine insemination (IUI), but egg preservation had not been available. As it stands, patients needing IVF treatment have had to travel outside the province—usually to Ontario or Alberta—incurring significant costs for both treatment and accommodation.
The provincial government is addressing this gap by increasing its IVF subsidy, following a review of fertility services by Thinkwell Research. The new subsidy allows for one-time funding of up to $20,000, a significant increase from the previous cap of $5,000 per IVF cycle, up to three cycles. The expanded subsidy is more flexible and can be used across multiple cycles if not fully used in the first one.
Health Minister John Haggie explained that the original subsidy primarily offset travel costs, while the updated program now supports a broader range of expenses. “If you don’t use all of it up front on the first cycle, there is residual there to help with future expenses,” Haggie said.
Since the program’s inception in 2021, 230 individuals have benefited from the IVF subsidy, amounting to $2.1 million in total assistance.
While Furey renewed his pledge to establish the IVF clinic by 2026, Minister Haggie cautioned that the timeline could shift. “I can’t say we wouldn’t make it for January of next year, but one thing I’ve learned about giving dates at this early stage is they’re often wrong, so I don’t want to raise false expectations,” he said.
The expansion of IVF services and funding for financial subsidies is part of Budget 2025, which aims to enhance fertility treatment options and access across the province. In addition to IVF, the province also provides counseling, fertility investigations, IUI, therapeutic donor insemination, and sperm preservation as part of its fertility services.
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