Fertility treatment only for the "right" people?

As more so-called non-traditional families are formed, they encounter many of the same issues as the so-called traditional families. And, one of these problems is that of infertility. Some women work on the issue alone, but many others seek out help just as others would.

Now, there is often debate about how fertility treatments should be handled. Should insurance reimburse the treatment? Is fertility a right? How much should insurance pay if it does? Of course, there are also issues, like the debate over fertility treatment that results in a poor family in Egypt having septuplets when they can barely afford to care for the three girls they already have at home (Impoverished Egyptian septuplet’s family - a failure of infertility treatment?). And - there's the debate as to whether these non-traditional families should be "allowed" to undergo fertility treatment too.

According to some healthcare providers mentioned in this article, Breeder Reaction, no - they shouldn't. Is that right? What do you think?

Today at Help My Hurt:

What is your pain type?
Canada approves shingles vaccine
Singer Annie Lennox has back surgery
Houston Texans receiver Harry Williams injures neck, spine; career likely over

Today at Womb Within:

Thyroid disease and pregnancy
Babies born at SF Medical Center have small risk of TB
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A smile for you: Bill Cosby and his take on natural childbirth

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Eating Nuts, Popcorn Not Linked With Higher Risk Of Diverticulosis
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Heart attack patients who stop statin risk death, say McGill researchers

It was bound to happen - the return of childhood diseases

To vaccinate or not to vaccinate against illnesses like mumps, measles and so on. The new movement - not to vaccinate - has brought childhood illnesses to a full circle.

According to a press release from the Centers of Disease Control in the United States, "More measles cases have been reported in the United States since Jan. 1, 2008 than during the same period in any year since 1996." Interestingly, the press release goes on to say: "Measles is consistently one of the first diseases to reappear when immunization coverage rates fall. Increases in the proportion of the population declining vaccination for themselves or their children might lead to large-scale outbreaks in the U.S. Currently, Israel and a number of countries in Europe -- including Switzerland, Austria, Italy, United Kingdom -- are reporting sizeable measles outbreaks among populations refusing vaccination."

What can happen if you get measles? Measles can result in pneumonia, encaphalitis (swelling/inflammation of the brain), middle ear infections, convulsions, and premature delivery and miscarriages in pregnant women.

Complications of German Measles (or rubella) occur if a pregnant woman hasn't had them and is exposed to the virus. As the children of today grow up without vaccinations, the girls, who will become women and become pregnant, will be at greatest risk. In fact, we may see a come-back of the severe problems that babies are born with if their mother contracts German measles during pregnancy. These problems are physical and/or mental retardation, heart defects, eye malformations, liver and spleen problems, issues with bone marrow, and deafness.

Complications of Mumps are potentially very serious. They include inflammation of the testicles (called orchitis), which and render the male sterile; pancreatitis, which is the swelling/inflammation of the pancreas; encephalitis, swelling/inflammation of the brain; meningitis, infection and inflammation of the fluid and membranes in the spinal cord and brain; hearing loss; and miscarriage in pregnant women.

Is it really worth the risk?

Today at Help My Hurt:

Watch it if you’re encouraging cheerleading as an activity
Alexander technique offers long-term relief for back pain
Treating cancer pain in children
Palliative care: “Every human being should be entitled to relief from pain”

Today at Womb Within:

Twins - great source for researchers
Videos about postpartum depression
Pregnant stepmothers
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FDA Investigates Possible Vytorin-Cancer Link
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Maple Leaf confirmed source of deadly Canada meat