The expansion of the cases in which Galician women can freeze eggs in public healthcare and the age up to which they can access assisted reproduction treatments was an electoral commitment of Alfonso Rueda. After achieving her first absolute majority, last February, she announced that among the first health plans that she would carry out was to allow all women between 30 and 35 years old who want to preserve their eggs – for whatever reason. that they can do it and to extend the possibility of receiving treatments to achieve pregnancy up to 45.
This Monday, the Xunta Council approved the plan, which establishes the calendar to implement the measures. The possibility does not open immediately, but will occur progressively. The first to have access to egg freezing due to the decision to delay motherhood for personal reasons will be women who are between 34 and 35 years old in 2026. In 2027 the possibility will be extended to those who are between 32 and 34 and in 2028 , to those who are between 30 and 32, so that from that moment on the entire age group to which the measure will be applied is covered. The Minister of Health, Antonio Gómez Caamaño, who appeared alongside the president, Alfonso Rueda, to explain the steps, ruled out the possibility of including women under 30.
In oocyte freezing there is another extension. Until now, the possibility was given to women undergoing oncological and gametotoxic treatments, but from now on, trans people and those who undergo surgical interventions that, without being oncological, have a proven risk of affecting fertility, will also be included.
Regarding assisted reproduction, Gómez Caamaño indicated that Galician public health will begin to care for women between 40 and 45 years old – until now treatment is not done in public health once they turn 40 – also progressively. Starting in March 2025, the possibility will be opened for those who are up to 41 years old (without having reached their birthday). A year later it will be expanded to those up to 42; In March 2027, those up to 43 will be included; in March 2028 those up to 44; and at the end of that same year all those under 45 will be covered.
The councilor explained that there are also changes in the requirements with respect to previous children. People who have undergone in vitro fertilization and have preserved oocytes or gametes will now be able to access a new treatment even if they have already had a child. And starting in March 2025, those who have already had a child naturally but are having difficulties with a second pregnancy will also be able to access basic assisted reproduction techniques.
The funds allocated to the strategy are 7.8 million euros. Rueda highlighted that, with this plan, Galicia will be the community with a broader portfolio of this type of services. He highlighted that around 15% of couples resort to assisted reproduction techniques to have children.
The councilor indicated that, since the measure is “pioneering”, they do not have an estimate of the number of egg freezings or assisted reproduction treatments that the Galician Health Service (Sergas) will undertake. He has assured that the entire plan will be covered with public resources. Among the immediate measures are the Xunta’s commitment that the first consultation to undergo fertility treatment takes a maximum of 60 days and that in vitro fertilization takes place within a period of no more than six months.
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