NHS Drops Discriminatory IVF Rules
July 21, 2022The NHS has announced it will be dropping the current barriers for queer women, trans men, and nonbinary people who wish to become parents via In Vitro Fertilization (IVF). Previously, in order to qualify for IVF on the NHS with state funding, LGBTQ+ couples had to pay for several rounds of artificial insemination (IUI) which cost as much as £25,000.
Cisgender, opposite-sex couples only needed to prove that they had tried to conceive for two years in order to qualify for IVF. However, this week the UK government announced its new Women's Health Strategy, which clarified that no longer will queer women, trans men, or nonbinary people seeking IVF have to "prove their fertility status" to qualify for IVF. Instead, the government will now fund six rounds of IUI before funding IVF.
The government also vowed to end the "postcode lottery" for IVF, with service quality previously varying greatly between different areas in the UK.
Nancy Kelley, CEO of Stonewall, said: “We are delighted that the UK government has listened to our call for fair and equal access to IVF treatment For years, lesbians, bi women, and trans people have been forced to pay for up to £25,000 of private healthcare before they can access IVF on the NHS, or face giving up their dream of becoming parents."
There are still barriers to LGBTQ+ parenting in the UK, particularly in the area of surrogacy, but the changes are a welcome step toward equality in parenting for all.
Read related myGwork articles here:
Trans People Face Barriers Accessing General Healthcare, Report Says
Government Urged To End “Outrageous” IVF Discrimination Pricing Queer Couples Out Of Parenthood
LGBTQ+ Activists Call On House of Lords To Do Right Thing And Vote Down “Oppressive” Policing Bill
Tories “Spectacularly” Failed On Gender Law Reform And Should Move Towards Self-ID, Says Inquiry
Keep up to date with the latest myGnews