Manitoba doubling fertility tax credit for those trying to have a baby through IVF

The Manitoba government is doubling the tax credit available to families and individuals trying to have a baby with the help of fertility treatments.

Right now,Manitobans pursuing assisted fertility treatments, such as IVF, can apply to get up to $8,000 back on their taxesthrough the fertility treatment tax credit.

Under a change in the NDP government's first budget, tabled on Tuesday,that will now be increased to$16,000.

"Everyone in Manitoba is dealing with the rising cost of living today," Premier Wab Kinew saidduring a Wednesday press conference atHeartland Fertility Clinic in Winnipeg.

"We think that your decision to start a family should be based on what's in your heart, not what's in your bank account."

Manitoba has earmarked $1.3 million in the 2024-25 provincial budget for the tax credit, a government spokesperson said.

The party pledged last fall to prioritize reproductive health care on various fronts, including birth control and abortion access.

The fertility tax credit is a refundable personal tax credit that is equal to 40 per cent of treatments the individual or family spends on a licensed fertility medical expert or clinic, according to the province.It also applies to prescription drugs that aren't covered through private health coverage.

Premier announces doubling of Manitoba fertility tax credit

7 months ago

Duration 1:19

Manitoba Premier Wab Kinew announces on Wednesday at Heartland Fertility clinic in Winnipeg that a provincial fertility tax credit will be doubled this year. People trying to conceive via IVF or through other medical interventions will now be eligible to be reimbursed up to $16,000 on expenses of $40,000, up from being eligible for $8,000 in reimbursement on costs up to $20,000.

Until now, the credit would mean someone or a family trying to conceive via IVF or other treatments would only have up to $8,000 in costs reimbursed on expenses up to $20,000.

With the new changes, those who spend up to $40,000 on treatment would be eligible for a maximum of$16,000.

"It can be a very stressful time for families. It can be emotionally draining, it can be physically painful and too often it can be very, very expensive for families," Health Minister Uzoma Asagwara said at Wednesday's news conference.

"Cost should not be one of those challenges or barriers that people face."

WATCH | Health minister onwhy fertility tax credit changes were a priority inNDP's 1st budget:

Minister explains why fertility tax credit changes important to include in first Manitoba NDP budget

7 months ago

Duration 1:55

Manitoba Health Minister Uzoma Asagwara explains on Wednesday why it was a priority for the NDP to include changes to the fertility tax credit in its first budget, tabled one day earlier.

They said the province will also expand the list of different kinds of expenses that may be claimed, including money paid to surrogates and donors for medical expenses incurred. Some payments to donor and fertility clinics will also become eligible.

Asagwara said the tax credit can also be layered with existing federal tax credits to lower cost.

Demand for fertility services increasing: doctor

Heartland Fertility Clinic has been providing reproductive fertility treatments for Manitobans since 1997,and "the cost of reproductive care has gone up," saidDr. Gordon McTavish, the clinic's medical director.

Demand for services has significantlyincreased over the past 27 years, he said, and expanding theteam of experts was necessary to keep up. The clinicalso had to move to a15,000-square-foot spacefrom a 6,500-square-foot space, he said.

When the fertility tax credit was first brought into effect, McTavishsays, the average cost of an IVF cycle through Heartland cost in the range of $10,000 to $12,000.That figure isnow closer to $18,000 to $20,000, he says.Medications and other treatments cost thousands more.

"People are almost not even [getting] the full benefit of the tax credit because now some of the costs have exceeded that $20,000 [cap]," he said. "This doubling ofthe tax credit is really going to be beneficial for some people who have really been on the fence."

He says Heartland expects to perform 450 to 500 IVF cycles this year, but that could increase by 20 per cent due in part to the tax credit changes that may make the process more accessible.

WATCH | Fertility expert lauds NDP fertility tax credit changes:

Fertility expert lauds Manitoba NDP fertility tax credit changes

7 months ago

Duration 0:00

Dr. Gordon McTavish, medical director of Heartland Fertility Clinic in Winnipeg, explains how the cost of reproductive health care has risen and why the changes to thefertility tax credit will help more Manitobans trying to conceivedo so with greater access to supports.

McTavishalso saidone in six people struggle with infertility, and it can take more than one cycle of IVF to get pregnant.

That's one reason why he said he prefers the annual Manitoba fertility tax credit to some in other jurisdictions that only grant residents subsidies or coverage for one IVF cycle in their lives.

"If you've only been given that one opportunity and it doesn't work, then it's really difficult to overcome those financial burdens," saidDr. McTavish.

"Thelovely things about ours is that it's an annual tax credit that's available to Manitobans that they can go forward on a regular basis."

Kate McIntyre and her husband have a two-year-old and another on the way.She says their path toward having kids wasn't straightforward due to fertility challenges.

Both pregnancies were made possible by IVF. Theprocess was time-consuming and emotionally painful, on top of being expensive, said McIntyre.

"The emotional complexity of infertility was compounded by the financial stress of paying for both the fertility treatments themselves and the prescription medications that came with it," she said.

She said the previous iteration of the tax credit was "essential" to helping the couple afford the treatments. With costs rising, McIntyre said expanding the credit will make it more accessible to other families.

"[Expanding] the eligible costs that can be claimed as a part of the fertility tax credit, and doubling the amount that can be claimed, is so critical to helping Manitoba families manage the financial burdens and realities of undergoing fertility treatments," said McIntyre.

WATCH |Premier on doubling of Manitoba fertility tax credit:

Information Radio - MB14:12Manitoba Premier Wab Kinew discusses his NDP government's 1st budget

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