International Surrogacy
June 22, 2009 by Mindy Berkson · Leave a Comment
The roots of commercial surrogacy in the United States began in the late 1970’s when a Michigan lawyer began the first surrogacy agency and set out to change the laws to make surrogacy legal. Now, surrogacy is legal in all but a handful of states, even though the specific laws vary from state to state.
So it comes as no surprise that the United States has become the preferred country for surrogacy among international prospective parents. Some of the primary reasons I am seeing from some of my international clients are as follows:
• Many European countries restrict couples from being able to explore surrogacy
• European countries often restrict the number of embryos that can be created
Doesn’t allow for opportunity to create future genetic siblings
Doesn’t provide a back-up plan if the first IVF attempt is not successful
With the cost of IVF being so high, multiple attempts at continued retrievals may exceed financial reserves
Frozen embryo transfers can often defray some of these costs
• In some countries, like Israel, surrogacy is restricted to married heterosexual couples. So gay couples are coming into the U.S. for help in having biological children of their own.”
• Advanced technologies are superior in US
• Economic recession has some U.S.-based clinics offering money back guarantees in the event a successful pregnancy is not achieved
• Favorable exchange rates have made it attractive in this economy to explore services in the U.S.
• Some programs are offering comprehensive packages to help international clients locate resources for their surrogacy arrangements in house
Streamlines the process with coordination all in one place
Identifies insurance protections and policies to mitigate financial risk factors during pregnancy or in the unlikely event of a catastrophe
Interpreters available well versed in medical and legal diction
Work closely with immigration attorneys to accomplish the necessary paperwork for visas, passports, birth certificates and social security status.
Jude Andrew Adams Fund
June 11, 2009 by Mindy Berkson · Leave a Comment
I am proud to announce that Lotus Blossom Consulting has officially established the Jude Andrew Adams Charitable Fund to bring new life to families who are struggling to conceive. motivation and intention in creating this grant is to offer a free fertility treatment for those who could not otherwise afford it. To learn more about this fund and how it came to fruition, please click here.
Applications for a free treatment cycle are now being accepted. The board of directors will select from applicants who meet the following criteria:
-
Have a history of infertility, and provide a physician documented medical indication for exploring IVF treatment along with the application
-
Demonstrate a financial need; defined as a gross combined annual income less than $80,000. A copy of the last two years’ IRS tax returns and two of the most recent pay stubs is required.
-
No insurance coverage for infertility treatments.
-
Do not currently have any children.
-
Be under age 40.
-
Be current legal citizens of the United States and living in the United States at the time of the award and subsequent treatment.
Thank you all for your help and support for this great cause.
PRIDE Month: Family Building for Alternative Families
June 4, 2009 by Mindy Berkson · Leave a Comment
Earlier this week, President Obama officially declared the month of June to be Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual and Transgender (LGBT) Pride Month!
As the nation celebrates this occasion, it is a good time to bring an important issue to the forefront – alternative family building. As noted in a past USA Today article, there is an estimated six to 12 million children in the U.S. who have a lesbian or gay parent. And an increasing number of same-sex couples are looking to expand their families.
Unfortunately, there are even more obstacles for gay couples when trying to start their own families due to the political and legal issues involved. It is important to financially, physically and emotionally prepare for a challenging road ahead. Gay couples also must enlist an attorney to draw up contracts that protect not only themselves, but also their biological offspring. Often adoption or co-parenting agreements need to be accomplished.
Cost is another factor to consider. Insurance benefits for surrogacy and/or IVF treatments are often restricted since same sex couples do not meet the insurance’s companies definition of “infertility.”
And sadly, discrimination is widespread. Same sex families are denied the benefits and protections of a marriage in most states.
For Citywide PRIDE month in Chicago, I have teamed with UBS and PricewaterhouseCoopers to help gay and lesbian couples plan and prepare for parenthood. I will be leading a FREE session titled, “Conceivable Options: Alternative Family Building ” Details are as follows:
Date: Thursday June 18, 2009
Time: 11:30am – 1:30pm. Lunch will be served.
Location: UBS Tower, 38th Floor, 1 North Wacker Drive, Chicago
RSVP: By June 15, 2009 at http://citywidepride.info/events.html
Topics will include understanding insurance benefits (if available), how to enlist your human resources department to determine what benefits they may be able to provide and how to identify egg donors and surrogates from “surrogate friendly” states. The discussion will conclude with tips for how to financially plan and prepare for treatment, and a Q&A session.
Please try to join me! If you’re not in the Chicago area, e-mail me. I am happy to share my presentation notes with you, or discuss options over the telephone.
