“Expansion of insurance coverage for infertility treatment” is ... Welcome voice Pointed out issues at 18:39 on September 17
The parties concerned have welcomed Prime Minister Kan's intention to expand insurance coverage for infertility treatment.
It is expected that consideration will proceed in the future, but there are also voices pointing out issues.
Prime Minister Kan has set out to expand insurance coverage for infertility treatment as part of measures to counter the declining birthrate.
Currently, insurance is applied only to a part of the initial stage of infertility treatment, and in principle, advanced treatment such as "in vitro fertilization", which requires a high treatment cost, is paid by yourself.
According to a survey by NPO "Fine", which supports men and women under treatment, "in vitro fertilization" often costs more than 500,000 yen per treatment.
(Source: NPO Fine "Questionnaire on Infertility Treatment and Financial Burden 2018")
Regarding the expansion of insurance coverage, Akiko Matsumoto, the chairman of this NPO, said, "There are many people who give up treatment for financial reasons, so this problem is addressed. We welcome the progress of our efforts. "
On the other hand, according to NPOs, various other issues remain.
Since the procedure of treatment, such as the frequency of going to the hospital, the amount of medicine, and the type of medicine, varies greatly from person to person, the probability of becoming pregnant may decrease if uniform treatment is provided depending on the conditions for insurance coverage. Is that there is.
In addition, since the disclosure of the pregnancy success rate for each clinic has not progressed, there is little information for choosing a medical institution.
Furthermore, he points out that it is necessary to support people who wish to become pregnant in society as a whole, such as by creating an environment that makes it easy to balance work and treatment.
In addition, children born by artificial insemination using sperm from a third party are required to disclose information about sperm donors, and the "right to know their origin" is becoming widely recognized. , We should improve the law and solve ethical issues as well.
Mr. Matsumoto said, "I am grateful for the elimination of the financial burden, but it is uncomfortable for the discussion to proceed prominently. We should also improve the social environment and laws so that we can solve other issues together." I will.
Infertility testing and treatment 1 in 6 experienced
"Infertility" is defined by the Japanese Society of Obstetrics and Gynecology and refers to a condition in which a healthy couple wishing to become pregnant does not become pregnant even after one year.
Interest in infertility treatment is increasing year by year, and according to a survey conducted by the National Institute of Population and Social Security Research five years ago, about 1 in 6 couples, 18%, experienced infertility testing and treatment. It means that you are doing it.
The specific treatment method
In fertility treatment, first, the male and female tests are performed to find out the cause of infertility.
If the test reveals symptoms that cause infertility, treatment with drugs or surgery is given.
On the other hand, if no symptoms that lead to infertility are found, treatment to assist fertilization is given in stages.
In general, first,
the "timing method" that predicts the ovulation date and guides the timing of sexual intercourse, and the
"ovulation induction method" that promotes ovulation with drugs or injections are taken.
If infertility continues,
▽ "artificial insemination" is performed by collecting semen, taking out good sperm, and injecting it into the uterus when it is easy to get pregnant.
If that doesn't work,
▽ "in vitro fertilization" is performed in which the sperm and egg are fertilized in vitro and the fertilized egg is returned to the uterus.
Public insurance coverage Limited to some treatments
This of public insurance has been applied,
▽ addition to the inspection,
treatment with ▽ medicine and surgery,
it
▽ "timing method" and
is such as ▽ "ovulation induction method".
Limited to some treatments, advanced stages of
▽ "artificial insemination" and
▽ "in vitro fertilization" are not applicable.
It means that many people give up pregnancy because they cannot continue treatment due to financial burden.
In addition, these treatments increase the number of hospital visits and place a burden on the mind and body, making it a major issue to balance work.
A 2017 study by the Ministry of Health, Labor and Welfare found that about one in six people who had undergone fertility treatment, or 16%, quit their jobs because of fertility treatment.
Some local governments have their own support system
Among infertility treatments, "in vitro fertilization", which is expensive, has a national subsidy system, including "microinsemination" in which sperm are injected into an egg using a microscope.
However, the
target age is that the wife is under 43 years old, and the
income is limited to less than 7.3 million yen for a married couple.
Under these circumstances, financial support is provided in units of local governments.
Of these, in Tokyo, the
income limit has been raised to less than 9.05 million yen
since last year, and
common-
law marriage is also covered.
According to the Tokyo Metropolitan Government, the number of grants last year increased by about 5% compared to the previous year.
In addition, Minato-ku, Tokyo does not set income restrictions and provides subsidies as a ward.
In addition, Saitama Prefecture is
promoting its own support system, such as
▽ the second and subsequent people are also eligible for subsidies, and
▽
additional subsidies of
up to 100,000 yen for early infertility treatment under the age of 35. ..
Expectations from people who have experience in fertility treatment
May Abe, who lives in Kanagawa Prefecture, became pregnant and gave birth five years ago after undergoing fertility treatment for about three years, including artificial insemination and in vitro fertilization, while working as a dentist.
In addition to the cost of in vitro fertilization, which is 350,000 yen, the total cost of treatment is more than 1 million yen, including examination and medical fees.
From my own experience of physical and mental instability due to impatience about becoming pregnant and financial anxiety, I welcome the policy of expanding insurance coverage for fertility treatment. It is said that there is.
Mr. Abe said, "At that time, I couldn't get pregnant easily, so it was mentally difficult. In addition to sadness and impatience, high medical expenses. It is difficult to take a break from work just because my body is the timing of fertility treatment, and I sometimes quit. I thought about how long the fertility treatment would last, and I couldn't stop even if I quit my job due to financial concerns. I think that some people have given up on treatment due to the high cost of treatment, so insurance coverage is covered. I think it's a great thing in terms of expanding opportunities. "
On the other hand, Mr. Abe
has many issues to be solved other than insurance coverage
, such as
improving the current situation where there is a lack of information on hospitals and treatment methods, and
understanding the workplace for infertility treatment so
that it is
easier to take vacations.
I'm talking to you.
Ministry of Health, Labor and Welfare Research to grasp the actual situation
Reducing the burden of fertility treatment has always been an issue raised by the government.
The government's guideline for measures against the declining birthrate, "Outline of Measures for the Declining Birthrate Society," compiled in May, also includes the widespread application of public medical insurance to fertility treatment.
Based on this, the Ministry of Health, Labor and Welfare is considering expanding insurance coverage for treatments with clear effects, in addition to the current subsidies.
The Ministry of Health, Labor and Welfare is already conducting research to understand the actual situation prior to the examination, and is investigating the number and cost of treatments at medical institutions nationwide that are providing fertility treatment.
Based on the results of the survey that will be finalized during this fiscal year, we will start a concrete study, but it is pointed out that the content of "infertility" varies from person to person, and it is necessary to sort out what is considered as treatment for illness. It's up.
It is expected that such examinations and efforts will be accelerated in response to the policy of Prime Minister Kan.
Minister of Health, Labor and Welfare Tamura "Efforts to apply insurance as soon as possible"
At a press conference after meeting with Prime Minister Suga, Minister of Health, Labor and Welfare Tamura said, "Regarding fertility treatment, Prime Minister Suga said,'I want you to significantly increase the existing subsidy system.' I would like to proceed so that the burden can be reduced until the insurance is applied. In order to apply the insurance, it is necessary to carefully discuss what kind of method it will be applied to. I would like to make an effort to apply insurance as soon as possible. "