What happens when building a family becomes a financial privilege? Infertility affects millions of Americans, yet the growing costs of IVF and limited insurance coverage make treatment inaccessible for far too many. In this episode of Words of Wisdom from Kick-Ass Women, Liz Brohan talks with Beth Frattura, founder of The Stork Foundation for Infertility, and Meredith Weber, a fertility advocate and IVF mom, about the personal, financial and societal consequences of infertility. From the high price of fertility care to declining birth rates and delayed parenthood, they explore why infertility is more than a medical issue—it’s a demographic crisis we can’t ignore.
What happens when the dream of becoming a parent collides with the cost of fertility care?
On this episode of Words of Wisdom from Kick-Ass Women, Liz Brohan talks with Elizabeth “Beth” Frattura, founder of The Stork Foundation for Infertility, and Meredith Weber, president of the organization, about the emotional, financial and economic realities of infertility and IVF.
Both women know the journey personally. Beth and her husband welcomed their three children through IVF, while Meredith endured four rounds of IUI and four rounds of IVF before welcoming her “miracle baby,” Theo.
Their experiences exposed a troubling reality: infertility is a medical diagnosis, but fertility treatment is often treated like luxury care. A single IVF cycle can cost $15,000–$20,000, and the women explain why access can depend on income, employer benefits and where you live. They also discuss the growing role of fertility benefits in employee recruitment and retention.
The conversation goes beyond individual families to examine declining birth rates, delayed parenthood, fertility education, egg freezing, financial planning and America’s demographic future. Beth argues that fertility should be part of the conversations young adults have about financial and life planning—just as retirement planning is.
The Stork Foundation was created to help bridge the financial gap. The organization provides fertility grants to families who otherwise may not be able to afford treatment.
But perhaps the most powerful definition of success comes at the end of the conversation: a world where infertility treatment is treated as essential health care rather than luxury care—and where The Stork Foundation no longer needs to provide financial rescue.
This is a candid conversation about infertility, IVF costs, fertility insurance, women's health, family building, financial planning and the economic consequences of reproductive choices—and why talking about it matters.
#Infertility #IVF #Fertility #WomensHealth #FertilityAwareness #FamilyBuilding #FertilityInsurance #FinancialPlanning #StorkFoundation #KickAssWomen
Resources & References Mentioned
Highlight Quotes
1. “Infertility is a medical diagnosis, but for most people, infertility care still isn’t treated like health care. It’s treated like a luxury.” — Beth Frattura
2. “Fertility is one of the biggest financial risks and life variables that young people face, but nobody plans for it. Knowledge empowers choice.” — Beth Frattura
3. “Success is a world where infertility treatment is treated like essential health care—not luxury care—and access doesn’t depend on how much money you make.” — Beth Frattura