Quebec is putting an end to free and unlimited access to its in vitro fertilization program.
Women with fertility problems and who may need medical assistance will have to cover the costs themselves under a bill tabled today by Quebec Health Minister Gaetan Barrette.
Those who are not financially well off will be able to take advantage of a tax credit at the end of the year.
Barrette has previously described the program as an "open bar."
Under the proposed legislation, only women between the ages of 18 and 42 would have access to the treatments and some may even have to undergo a psycho-social evaluation.
The program is currently available to anyone — including homosexual couples and single women. But nothing prevents a male couple from asking a surrogate mother to bear a child.
Assisted procreation has been free in Quebec since August 2010, but the controversial program has been costing more than expected.
A report by Quebec's health commissioner in June said it was not viable in its current form and that costs had to be reined in.
Originally it was estimated the program would cost $48 million in 2012-2013, but it actually cost $70 million.
