HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES

H.R. NO.

151

TWENTY-NINTH LEGISLATURE, 2017

 

STATE OF HAWAII

 

 

 

 

 

HOUSE RESOLUTION

 

 

RECOGNIZING AND CELEBRATING THE 30TH ANNIVERSARY OF THE PASSING OF HAWAII REVISED STATUTES §432:1-604 AND THE SUCCESS OF IN VITRO FERTILIZATION IN THE STATE OF HAWAII.

 

 

 

     WHEREAS, Hawai‘i has deep roots in ‘ohana-related traditions, and family has always been highly regarded as the foundation of society and culture; and

 

     WHEREAS, family building is a fundamental human desire, and the U.S. Supreme Court has recognized that reproduction and parenthood are human imperatives; and

 

     WHEREAS, all different kinds of families exist, and all families should be valued and supported equally; and

 

     WHEREAS, in vitro fertilization provides a solution for those who wish to expand their family but may be faced with endometriosis, low sperm counts, problems with ovulation, or other unexplained fertility problems; and

 

WHEREAS, founded in 1985, Pacific In Vitro Fertilization Institute was Hawai‘i's first IVF clinic and the place of conception for Hawai‘i's first in vitro baby, Janice Low, to parents James and Jacqueline Low in the same year; and

 

     WHEREAS, prior to 1987, only five percent of couples with infertility issues sought in vitro fertilization treatment due to its high cost; and

 

     WHEREAS, in 1987, Hawai‘i was the second state, after Maryland, to pass Act 332, a law mandating insurance coverage for in vitro fertilization procedures; and

 

     WHEREAS, prior to Act 332, Session Laws of Hawaii 1987, which requires insurance coverage of in vitro fertilization, people were expected to pay $12,000 out of pocket for the treatment along with other associated medical costs which ranged anywhere from $3,000 to $5,000; and

 

WHEREAS, Hawai‘i today has five in vitro fertilization providers with dedicated doctors and staff who believe in the value of ‘ohana and persistently work to provide families the opportunity to grow; and

 

     WHEREAS, since the passing of Act 332, many babies were conceived through in vitro fertilization and born to families who otherwise might not have had the opportunity to conceive children; and

 

     WHEREAS, Hawai‘i is one of only fifteen states which requires insurance coverage of in vitro fertilization to ease the financial burden on growing families; and

 

     WHEREAS, Hawaii has five in vitro fertilization providers with doctors and staff that believe in the value of ‘ohana and tirelessly work to provide families the opportunity to grow; and

 

     WHEREAS, over seven million babies worldwide have been born from in vitro fertilization; now, therefore,

 

     BE IT RESOLVED by the House of Representatives of the Twenty-ninth Legislature of the State of Hawaii, Regular Session of 2017, that this body hereby recognizes and celebrates the 30th anniversary of the passing of Hawaii Revised Statutes §432:1-604 and the success of in vitro fertilization in the State of Hawaii, extends its warmest aloha to the families blessed by in vitro fertilization, and sincerely appreciates the outstanding efforts of fertility doctors and in vitro fertilization providers.

 

 

 

 

OFFERED BY:

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Report Title: 

30TH ANNIVERSARY OF THE PASSING OF HAWAII REVISED STATUTE §432:1-604 AND THE SUCCESS OF IN VITRO FERTILIZATION IN THE STATE OF HAWAII