Argentina requires HMOs to fund fertility efforts
Argentine congress requires private and public health care to provide fertility treatments
BUENOS AIRES, Argentina (AP) -- Argentina's health care providers must now provide fertility treatments to anyone older than 18 who wants them, be they married or single, gay or straight.
The lower house of congress voted 203-to-1 Wednesday to approve the law, which applies to private medical plans as well as the public health care system.
Lobbyists for the law say one in six Argentine couples suffers from infertility.
The law specifies a range of treatments averaging about $4,000 each. The health ministry now must issue regulations saying how often a person can benefit.
President Cristina Fernandez was pleased, saying in a tweet: "Assisted fertilization is law as of today. More rights, more inclusion, better country."
