By using this site, you agree to the Privacy Policy and Terms of Use.
Accept
Health Works CollectiveHealth Works CollectiveHealth Works Collective
  • Health
    • Mental Health
  • Policy and Law
    • Global Healthcare
    • Medical Ethics
  • Medical Innovations
  • News
  • Wellness
  • Tech
Search
© 2023 HealthWorks Collective. All Rights Reserved.
Reading: I’m OK With Raffles for Fertility Treatment
Share
Notification Show More
Font ResizerAa
Health Works CollectiveHealth Works Collective
Font ResizerAa
Search
Follow US
  • About
  • Contact
  • Privacy
© 2023 HealthWorks Collective. All Rights Reserved.
Health Works Collective > Policy & Law > I’m OK With Raffles for Fertility Treatment
Policy & Law

I’m OK With Raffles for Fertility Treatment

DavidEWilliams
DavidEWilliams
Share
3 Min Read
SHARE

Some fertility clinics are holding contests and raffles to win a free round of in vitro fertilization treatment, which is worth about $10,000 to $15,000. A Boston Globe article (Fertility clinics’ raffles ruffle feathers) raises concerns about the ethics behind such actions.

Some fertility clinics are holding contests and raffles to win a free round of in vitro fertilization treatment, which is worth about $10,000 to $15,000. A Boston Globe article (Fertility clinics’ raffles ruffle feathers) raises concerns about the ethics behind such actions.

‘‘It is against the law to raffle off a puppy, but we’re allowed to raffle off the opportunity to have a baby?’’ said Pamela Madsen, a founder and former executive director of the American Fertility Association, a nonprofit organization based in New York City. ‘‘What if they were raffling off chemotherapy? Would we be OK with that?’’

…medical ethicists fear the contests exploit vulnerable people and trivialize human conception. British authorities have condemned the giveaways, and an Australian government official has proposed banning them, yet they have become increasingly common, particularly in the United States.

Some people are fine with the contests — particularly infertile people who see them as adding some fairness to a system that favors the wealthy.

I agree that it’s a bit unsettling to read about contests that require contestants to submit videos or stories about why they’re the most disturbing. But it’s disappointing that the article (originally appearing in the New York Times) completely skipped over the issue of insurance coverage for infertility.

According to Fertility LifeLines, 15 states mandate insurance coverage for infertility treatment. The article talks about a contest in New York, which is one of the states with mandates. However, the New York mandate excludes IVF treatment. The other example from the article is from Utah, a non-mandate states. Some states, including Massachusetts, do include IVF within the mandate. I doubt we have such contests here, but I would be interested to know.

More Read

CMS-OMB Delaying Physician Disclosure Rule
The Formula of Driver and Demand- Indian Startups story
Better Bedside Manners Heal Doctor-Patient Relationships
The Future of Medicine eCommerce: Revolutionizing Healthcare
OCR Releases HIPAA Privacy Rule Guidance on De-Identifying PHI

So here’s my take: it’s ok to sniff at unseemly marketing techniques for infertility clinics as long as you’re willing to enter into a discussion of insurance coverage –including public funding– for such services.

 

 


TAGGED:infertilityIVF
Share This Article
Facebook Copy Link Print
Share

Stay Connected

1.5kFollowersLike
4.5kFollowersFollow
2.8kFollowersPin
136kSubscribersSubscribe

Latest News

a woman walking on the hallway
6 Easy Healthcare Ways to Sit Less and Move More Every Day
Health
September 9, 2025
Clinical Expertise
Healthcare at a Crossroads: Why Leadership Matters More Than Ever
Global Healthcare
September 9, 2025
travel nurse in north carolina
Balancing Speed and Scope: Choosing the Nursing Degree That Fits Your Goals
Nursing
September 1, 2025
intimacy
How to Keep Intimacy Comfortable as You Age
Relationship and Lifestyle Senior Care
September 1, 2025

You Might also Like

healthcare jobs without a bachelors degree
CareerGlobal Healthcare

6 Amazing Healthcare Careers That Don’t Require A Bachelor’s Degree

January 8, 2021
breast cancer in india
Global Healthcare

Breast Cancer Rates Rising in India, Especially Among Younger Women

November 1, 2013
Policy & LawPublic HealthWellness

Risks of Probiotics – Who Cares?

April 26, 2016

Restrict Flexible Spending Accounts

March 9, 2011
Subscribe
Subscribe to our newsletter to get our newest articles instantly!
Follow US
© 2008-2025 HealthWorks Collective. All Rights Reserved.
  • About
  • Contact
  • Privacy
Welcome Back!

Sign in to your account

Username or Email Address
Password

Lost your password?