The provincial government has introduced a subsidy for those seeking IVF treatment.

Right now, Newfoundlanders and Labradorians seeking fertility services have to leave the province at great personal cost.

The province today is announcing a subsidy of $5,000 dollars per IVF cycle to applicants who meet clinical eligibility, up to a maximum of three IVF cycles throughout their lifetime.

The expenses are limited to IVF procedures at a fertility clinic and the prescribed medications associated with IVF procedures that are not covered by a person’s private insurance.

Minister of Health, John Haggie, says the idea is to “level the playing field.”

He says we need a receipt-based system so they can monitor and track it, which is consistent with other jurisdictions.

He says this is related to cycles of treatment and they do not ensure all of these services, which no province does.

He says what it will do, is defray expenses.

The subsidy is retroactive to September 1st, 2021.

The program will be re-evaluated after one year.