TIME Magazine names Kristen Gillibrand Top 100 Leaders. According to TIME she is the U.S. Senate’s rising Democratic star. For Shady Grove Fertility, she is a hero fighting to improve patient access to fertility treatment.
Her tenacious spirit is one to admire and respect, previously fighting hard on issues like sexual assault in the military. An advocate for families and women, Gillibrand is currently supporting the Family Act as a part of her “American Opportunity Agenda.”
The Family Act is an evolution of the 1993 Family and Medical Leave Act that will enable workers and families to afford care for their loved ones when family and medical needs arise, as well as provide monetary support for couples or individuals needing in vitro fertilization (IVF) or Fertility Preservation prior to cancer treatments.
Read the TIME article.
The Family Act: Improving Access to Fertility Treatment
The Family Act was introduced to the U.S. Senate and U.S. House of Representatives with a Tax Credit Bill for Infertility Treatments for the out-of-pocket costs associated with in vitro fertilization (IVF) and fertility preservation. This bill will help thousands of people access medical treatment for infertility that otherwise would be unavailable to them due to lack of insurance coverage. Currently, 40% of all cycles at Shady Grove Fertility are IVF for infertility treatments.
The key provisions of the Family Act House and Senate Bill provided by RESOLVE:
- The Family Act covers the out-of-pocket costs associated with in vitro fertilization (IVF) including medical procedures, prescription medications, professional charges, the transfer of an embryo and other necessary costs.
- The Family Act covers the out-of-pocket costs of fertility preservation procedures if the man or woman is diagnosed with cancer and the cancer treatment or disease itself may result in infertility.
- The Family Act provides an approximately $12,000 tax credit to eligible tax payers. The tax credit is available in part or in whole on an annual basis until the taxpayers reaches the aggregated limit of $12,000. Eligible taxpayers may carry the credit forward for five years.
- Eligible taxpayers may claim the credit for up to one-half of their expenses: a person who spends $10,000 out-of-pocket on IVF will be eligible for a $5,000 tax credit.
- The tax credit carries over into the next tax year if you do not reach the limit in the first year.
- The credit is available to taxpayers with an adjusted gross income of approximately less than $189,000 and phases out for those whose income reaches $229,000.
For this bill to become a law, The Family Act must pass the House and Senate by December 2014. ‘Don’t ever underestimate her. She can go as far as she likes. If Kirsten Gillibrand wants to be a rock star, she’ll be a rock star.’ We are glad to have her on our team, fighting to support women and couples struggling with infertility.
Other Issues Being Addressed by Proposed Changes
The current Family and Medical Leave Act of 1993, provides unpaid job-protected leave for serious health events. Gillibrand is working to amend the current bill because:
- Approximately half of the workforce qualifies for unpaid leave
- Many who qualify cannot afford to take it because it is unpaid
- Almost 50% of working mothers are unable to take time off to care for a sick child
As workers with care responsibilities withdraw from the workplace or limit their time at work, they bring home less income in the short run, are less likely to earn promotions, have more restricted access to workplace requirement benefits, earn less Social Security retirement benefits, and accumulate lower lifetime earnings.
Making Leave Available for Every Individual
The Family Act would create an independent trust fund within the Social Security Administration to collect fees and provide benefits. This fund would be funded by employee and employer contributions of 0.2% of wages, with a maximum weekly payroll deduction of $4.36. While on paid leave, workers would receive up to two-thirds of their regular pay. A maximum weekly benefit also would apply. The proposal makes leave available for every individual regardless of the size of their current employer. It is also available for self-employed or currently unemployed, as long as the person has sufficient earnings and work history. This act would benefit and apply to young, part-time, and low-wage workers. Read more about the Family Act.
Help the Family Act Become a Law
- Send letter to your two U.S. Senators: Link to Letter
- Send a letter to your U.S. Representatives: Link to Letter
- Join the Cause: Become an Advocate
If you have questions about fertility or are ready to schedule an appointment call 877-971-7755.
