I just want to clarify a few things. It is assumed that I don’t have any personal experience with infertility. That’s an assumption. I am not psychologically or socially invested in having biological children, which informs my view of IVF. My primary issue, which I realize did not come across in my post, is that since insurance premiums are always tied to benefits, I believe people should have a right to choose which benefits they pay for in the form of premiums. That would mean that people like me who don’t want IVF and don’t want to pay for it, would be able to opt out of paying for that benefit when we purchase insurance policies. For me, health insurance is for emergencies and to help pay for expensive tests and procedures after I’ve paid a certain dollar amount. That’s the type of insurance policy I would buy. NO frills. Those who want more should be able to buy those policies. From a values standpoint, people who don’t want abortions shouldn’t have to pay for that benefit. But people who do or who think it’s a valuable benefit, should be able to purchase policies that include it. People who don’t drink or do drugs shouldn’t have to pay for drug and alcohol treatment services. Those who think it may be useful, should have the option to purchase it. We live in a capitalist democratic society and the decisions we make–even regarding our health and bodies– are determined by how much money we have and the values we hold. Also, I don’t agree that Erectile Dysfunction treatments should be mandated Medicare benefits. Again, who says this is a life threatening condition or a physically painful disease or even a disease? Indeed, there are many things Medicare and Medicaid don’t cover, such as dentures, that I believe they should. Dentures, for example, would make it possible for elderly people to do things many of us may take for granted, like literally eating solid foods. Also, allergies can be very painful and life threatening as well as merely “uncomfortable.” Allergies certainly can and do interfere with physical functioning. My argument is against mandating that everyone buy the same insurance benefits. People who want IVF should be able to purchase that benefit and those who don’t shouldn’t be forced to spend their money on something they won’t use just because it makes someone else’s insurance policy less expensive. I also don’t believe lifelong smokers and drinkers who ignored all health warnings should be prime candidates for lung and liver transplants paid for by other people, but that’s a debate for another day.