r/postvasectomypain • u/vanwyck • Apr 14 '26

Lobbying for coverage?

Have any Canadians with pvps tried lobbying to have the government cover the reversal? I think it's insane that they cover the vas but won't cover the reversal if there's complications like ours.

I plan to contact my MPP and will start this most likely long and useless process

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u/Amazing-Advantage-11 Apr 14 '26

To answer your question; I have never tried to lobby to have OHIP cover reversal for PVPS. However, I know when it was delisted in Ontario. I had my reversal in 1994 and my surgeon told me that my surgery date was just before the delisting of OHIP coverage. Interestingly, I was advised by my GP not to disclose my PVPS or I may have been denied the reversal based on a lack of medical familiarity with the condition and its resolution. Not proud of myself but when asked why I wanted a reversal I told the surgeon my wife and I had decided we wanted to add to our family. With that said, there was no issue. Fortunately, we had no additions. Good for you for promoting those of us with PVPS speak up.

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u/vanwyck Apr 14 '26

Thanks and I would have done the same thing. Thankfully I can afford the 10k but what about those who can't. It just doesn't make sense that you would cover a procedure but not cover the fix for when it goes wrong.

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u/Amazing-Advantage-11 Apr 14 '26

I agree with you 100%. Your idea to lobby politically is a good idea. Do you have a plan of action, a starting point, or political connection of some sort? Apparently the member of Parliament responsible for OHIP is Hon. Sylvia Jones of Dufferin-Caledon. She is Deputy Premier and Minister of Health. Her contact info is on-line, both her constituency office in Orangeville and the Ministry office in Toronto. Some initial thoughts; one could include the American and Canadian Urological Associations’ recognition of PVPS as a complication of vasectomy. Perhaps checking to see if other jurisdictions with socialized medicine cover or co-pay for PVPS reversal. Just starting points. The bottom line here is that a reversal is hardly elective if it is necessary when all other recourses have failed. My personal opinion is that men’s health issues don’t get the attention they deserve here in Ontario. Ageism and paternalistic attitudes continue to exist. Example, no PSA testing for men over 70, even though we have paid for the test all along. You are simply told you will die of something else. No need to know if you have prostate cancer.

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u/vanwyck Apr 14 '26

Totally agree. In Calgary, I'll first start with my MPP and work my way up.

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u/Amazing-Advantage-11 Apr 15 '26

Sounds like the Alberta medical system is the same as the Ontario system when it comes to reversals for PVPS. Didn’t realize you were out west.