MANDATED INSURANCE COVERAGE FOR IN VITRO FERTILIZATION PROCEDURES
(House Bill 31)

Testimony of Lauran C. Stroffolino
March 2000

  Thank you Mr. Chairman and members, my name is Lauran Stroffolino and I am the Associate for Respect Life at the Florida Catholic Conference.

   We do appreciate the steps taken by Representative Wasserman Shultz to add exemption  language for religious organizations.  Conceptually, we agree with the intent of the exemptions and we will work with the sponsor if this language needs an amendment to accommodate the insurance plans operating in the dioceses.

   Of greater concern to us at this point are the mandatory provisions of the bill and their potential effect on insurers and purchasers.  Some, insurers and purchasers, will  have religious, moral or ethical objections to either providing or paying for coverage of certain reproductive technology procedures required by the bill.   Some of the procedures contemplated by the bill would entail several fertilizations and the disposal of some of the resultant embryos, an action which many will find objectionable and should not be bound to support.  Without conscience clauses to protect both insurers and purchases, we will have to object to this legislation.

   Another serious concern relates to the potential of diminishing some existing coverage of pregnancy related matters by the  added costs that will result from the required coverage of this bill.  We encourage that this be considered carefully, and protected against.

   Thank you.