The Nation - News from May 18, 1988

Americans spent $1 billion last year to combat infertility, and half of them ended up conceiving a child, the government reported. The report by the congressional Office of Technology Assessment said couples can spend from a few hundred dollars up to $22,000 on infertility diagnoses and treatments. OTA said there is no federal regulation of fertility clinics or treatments, though there are voluntary guidelines, and quality of care varies. The report said there are 2 million to 3 million infertile couples in the United States. The agency said Congress could require more data collection and sponsor the development of voluntary professional guidelines, or extend consumer protection laws to some infertility services.