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The Other Side Of Health Care Reform: An Analysis Of The Missed Opportunity Regarding Infertility Treatments., Nizan Geslevich Packin Dec 2011

The Other Side Of Health Care Reform: An Analysis Of The Missed Opportunity Regarding Infertility Treatments., Nizan Geslevich Packin

The Scholar: St. Mary's Law Review on Race and Social Justice

Recent studies show that one in eight American couples suffered from infertility. Infertility treatments are riddled with accessibility barriers including high costs, marital status, and sexual orientation. Despite President Obama’s promise of universal health care, his health care reform acts missed the opportunity to squarely address this widespread problem. In fact, the recent health care reform did not include any provisions specific to fertility. Despite this glaring oversight, this article argues that regulators interpreting the acts can still provide the desired relief. The minimum coverage requirements beginning in 2014 can be interpreted to include fertility care if infertility is treated …


Woman Scorned?: Resurrecting Infertile Women's Decision-Making Autonomy, Jody L. Madeira Feb 2011

Woman Scorned?: Resurrecting Infertile Women's Decision-Making Autonomy, Jody L. Madeira

Jody L Madeira

Legal scholarship portrays women as reproductive decision-makers in odd and conflicting ways. The disparity between depictions of infertile women and women considering abortion is particularly striking. A woman seeking infertility treatment, even one who faces no legal obstacles, is often portrayed as so emotionally distraught and desperate that her ability to give informed consent is potentially compromised. Yet, the legal academy has roundly rejected similar characterizations of pregnant women considering abortion, depicting them as confident and competent decision-makers. This Article argues that, compared to portrayals of women seeking abortions, legal scholars’ characterizations of infertile women inexplicably deny women’s ability to …