Only a small minority of the world's population is assured free or reduced cost access to infertility treatments. An IVF program in Brazil surveyed more than 5000 patients and asked them which of the following was their main concern about undergoing IVF: financial, multiple gestation, malformation of the offspring, social prejudice, religion or supernumerary embryos. An overwhelming majority (82.6%) identified financial concerns as their primary worry.

Dr. Richard Kennedy, Secretary General of the IFFS said, "Those who want children and can't have them undergo great heartache. Infertility is a disease, and should be treated in the same way as any other disease by health services and insurance plans. Yes, it can often be expensive in the short term, but many studies show that the payback to society from successful infertility treatment more than justifies the initial outlay."