Videos: Real People Describing Why They Care About Advocacy Day

Today is Advocacy Day in Washington D.C.  I really wanted to be part of this movement, but as is also the case with my infertility struggles, my finances do not allow me to do what I want at this time :)

In support of this important day, I wanted to share a couple of videos from the RESOLVE YouTube Channel: WatchRESOLVE.  Here, real women share their stories about why they are attending Advocacy Day.

Marla at RESOLVE's Advocacy Day

In this video, Marla explains how she hopes to bring awareness to Congress about the struggles of people involved with ART.  Her ultimate goal is to bring access to those who cannot afford treatment and diagnosis of their infertility problems.

Michelle at RESOLVE's Advocacy Day
In this video, Michelle describes the excitement of meeting new people and bonding over common experiences in the world of infertility.

Like Michelle, this is an event I too would love to be a part of in year's to come.  Who knows, maybe some of you will mark your calendars too?

For more information on Advocacy Day, visit the RESOLVE website.

RESOLVE's Advocacy Day Video

With Advocacy Day coming up tomorrow, I thought I'd repost RESOLVE's Advocacy Day Video and a few highlights about why people should participate in this event.  I cannot attend in person, but am supporting and promoting this event as much as possible through my blog and hope to participate in-person in the future.

You should attend RESOLVE’s Advocacy Day if…

• You want to educate your elected officials about the disease of infertility.
• You are dealing with infertility and want to feel a sense of control. 
• You have a loved one touched by infertility and want to show your support. 
• You want more public understanding about the disease of infertility.

Learn more by visiting RESOLVE's Advocacy Day website.

Google Hangout about RESOLVE's Advocacy Day

Streamed live on Mar 19, 2013

Ever wonder what RESOLVE's Advocacy Day is like? Here's a great educational video using Google Hangout and posted to YouTube that will help give you a better understanding of this empowering day. 

Personally, I found it reassuring to hear the ladies in this video explaining that none of them are experts, they are just women who are passionate about this cause, as we all are, who have stepped up to lead this cause and create awareness of this disease to policy makers in our government.

I think it's also really cool that they will have guest speakers and educational opportunities at this event.  Now I'm even more bummed that I can't travel to D.C. for this awesome event.  I hope they post some videos or highlight the day's occurrences in blog posts and other news releases.

I also find it really important that the video points out that the Advocacy Day website gives you all the information you need, from what to wear, to travel plans, to the day's events, etc.

It was kind of comforting to hear that some of these women had gone for the first time last year, and now here they are, featured on a promotional video to encourage us to go!  It really proves that anyone can do this, and we don't need to be experts to be a leader in this cause.

Registration for Advocacy Day after April 24th cannot guarantee Congressional appointments, but RESOLVE still invites you to come to the event and drop by your legislators' offices!

The Center for Infertility Justice

Have you ever heard of the Center for Infertility Justice?  No? Neither had I, until I started researching information to post related to National Infertility Awareness Week (NIAW), and Advocacy Day as part of my commitment to post once a day for a week following NIAW, since I was unable to be very active during the week itself.  Today actually marks my last day in this week-long commitment, and I think posting information about Resolve's Center for Infertility Justice is a fitting final post for this week.

Don't get me wrong, I don't intend to slip into months of posting-free neglect like I have in the past now that my week-long daily post commitment has been accomplished.  Rather, I intend to continue blogging regularly, though probably not daily, and only as issues, emotions, or events inspire me to write.

So, back to the topic at hand... 

But wait, what is The Center for Infertility Justice you ask?

The Center for Infertility Justice is where RESOLVE brings together its advocates, supporters, partners, and like-minded organizations to effectively study, defend, and promote infertility.  

The goals of the Center are as follows:

• To promote access to care for all who need it
• Fight any attempts to restrict or eliminate that care
• Provide research and data to support positive public policy for the infertility community. 

RESOLVE, the only patient advocacy group in the U.S. that fights for the rights of women and men who are infertile has seen an increasing need to bring together the community to ensure that our voices are heard.

How does The Center for Infertility Justice carry out their goals?

State Legislation

RESOLVE works with advocacy volunteers to ensure equal access to all family building options for men and women experiencing infertility or other reproductive disorders. In 2013, RESOLVE anticipates that there will be legislation introduced in every state that could negatively impact access to family building options. Find out what is happening in your state.

Federal Legislation

RESOLVE works with Members of Congress and their staff to make sure that the voice of the infertility community is heard.

Personhood Legislation

RESOLVE opposes all Personhood initiatives and urges all Americans to vote against any anti-family legislation as it undermines access to safe and reliable infertility medical treatments. Many states have introduced personhood bills or ballot initiatives this year. Find out more about these initiatives and how you can get involved in advocacy efforts that fight against these initiatives in your state.

Advocacy Day
It's time for people with infertility to stop being ignored. It’s time for us to ask that our government to do something positive for our community. People with infertility deserve access to family building options when cost is a barrier to parenthood. Join us at Advocacy Day 2013.

How can you keep up to date on what's new with the Center for Infertility Justice?

Did you know that the Center for Infertility Justice has a blog?  They do and I encourage you to follow it today!  The Center for Infertility Justice blog is the official advocacy blog by Resolve and is the only blog dedicated to talking about public policy that impacts the infertility community.  Whether you are trying to build your family or a professional in this community – this blog is a “must read.”

How can you join the cause for infertility justice?

Become a Grassroots Advocate!  Every year the Center of Infertility Justice is fighting anti-family bills in more and more states. They need you today.  They need you to help build their state advocacy infrastructure so that they are prepared to fight back in all 50 states at any time.  For more information on how to get involved, visit the "Project PROTECT" page on the Resolve Website.

Where can you find more information? 

Other advocacy links:

• Legislative Issues
• Receive our Advocacy News and Alerts
• RESOLVE Position and Policy Statements
• Insurance Coverage
• Donate to RESOLVE
• RSS Feed

Thank you to the sponsors who support Resolve's advocacy efforts!  It's nice to see so many fertility treatment centers supporting the cause!

The Family Act

History

(Taken from the Resolve Website)

In May 2011 a bill to create a tax credit for the out-of-pocket costs associated with infertility medical treatment was introduced in the U.S. Senate by Senator Kirsten Gillibrand (NY) and in the U.S. House of Representatives by Congressman John Lewis (GA). Aptly named the Family Act of 2011, S 965/HR 3522 could have potentially helped thousands of people seeking medical treatment that otherwise would be out of reach for them. RESOLVE supported this bill and required help from its followers and members to get this bill passed and made into a law. The bill died in the 112th Congress and must be re-introduced in the 113th Congress.  Check back on the Resolve Website for updates on the Family Act in the 113th Congress.

Current Status

The 2013 Advocacy Day in Washington D.C. on May 8th will highlight the reintroduction of this bill as one of two major issues this year.  For more information about attending this year's Advocacy Day, please see previous blog posts from this week on inconceivablestory.blogspot.com, or visit the Resolve Website's Advocacy Day webpage.

More Information Regarding The Family Act

(From the Resolve Website)

About the Family Act - S 965/HR 3522

Learn the details about this past pending legislation.

Current Bill status

Find out what's going on with this bill.

Why Does RESOLVE Support this Bill?
The Family Act of 2011 allows thousands that would otherwise not be able to access care to receive the medical treatment they need to build their family.

Infertility Tax Credit FAQs
Get answers to frequently asked questions about this pending legislation.

Family Act in the News
Read the latest articles about the Family Act.

Become a Grassroots Advocate
Every year we are fighting anti-family bills in more and more states. We need you today. We need you to help build our state advocacy infrastructure so that we are prepared to fight back in all 50 states at any time.

My thoughts

I am personally very excited about the Family Act, and if it gets re-introduced as a bill in the 113th Congress, I'll be happy to support it, advocate for it, promote it, and even lobby for it in anyway I can.  I know many of my readers and hundreds, probably even thousands more out there do not have health insurance coverage for IVF and other ART treatments.  So many of us could benefit from this opportunity to make our dreams of creating or growing our families become a reality.  I urge everyone affected by infertility to support the Family Act, especially if it is re-introduced as a bill this year.  Together we are stronger, so please, let's join together to support this Act!

Advocacy Day Issues: Infertility Tax Credit, or "The Family Act"

This is the fifth post in my week-long commitment to promoting infertility awareness after having missed my opportunity to do so during NIAW (National Infertility Awareness Week), which took place last week, April 21-27, 2013.  Today, I am posting information about the two major issues for which those who attending Advocacy Day in D.C. on May 8th can lobby.

There are two major issues on the table for this year's Advocacy Day on May 8, 2013.  See below for a brief description of each issue, as taken from the Resolve Advocacy Day Website:

Issues:

"We will be on Capitol Hill talking about the scope of infertility in this country and the physical, emotional, and financial impact of this disease. We will be asking Congress to support legislation that will allow more people to afford IVF treatments, and legislation that will allow wounded vets to seek IVF treatment to build their family."

Infertility Tax Credit

In the 112th Congress (2011-2012) a bill to create a tax credit for the out-of-pocket costs associated with IVF and fertility preservation for cancer and other diseases was introduced in the U.S. Senate and the U.S. House of Representatives. Aptly named the Family Act, the bill will potentially help thousands of people seek medical treatment that otherwise would be out of reach for them. RESOLVE is working hard to get this bill introduced in the 113th Congress and it will be a major focus of Advocacy Day 2013. Read more here about the Family Act. Learn the latest information on these issues by becoming a Facebook fan of the Family Act of 2011 Page.

Women Veterans and Other Health Care Improvements Act

On January 24, 2013 U.S. Senator Patty Murray introduced the Women Veterans and Other Health Care Improvement Act S 131.  A bill to amend title 38, United States Code, to improve the reproductive assistance provided by the Department of Veterans Affairs to severely wounded, ill, or injured veterans and their spouses, and for other purposes. This bill will provide access to fertility treatment for seriously injured veterans and their spouses, adoption assistance, permanent authority for VA to provide child care, and other elements. Read more here about the Women's Veterans and Other Health Care Improvements Act.

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Personally, while I find the Women Veterans and Other Healthcare Improvements Act important, it does not affect me or improve my own immediate situation.  I support it, and am happy to promote the issue, but it does not get me quite as fired up as movements that might benefit the majority of couples and individuals struggling from infertility, the crushing costs associated with it, and the unfair policies of health insurance companies that vary from state to state. 

On the other hand, The Family Act (the tax credit for everyone paying for infertility treatment out of pocket), boy does that ever affect me!  What a fair and valuable tax credit this would be, making IVF and other ART options attainable to those of us who can't consider adoption as a resolution to our infertility journey (for which there is a tax refundable credit...and a sizable one at that!).  I am so excited about this bill that I'll be posting another blog post dedicated to it alone tomorrow.  Oh, how I wish I could go to the capital next week and lobby for this bill!