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Join RESOLVE’s leadership team for an in-depth look at what it takes to pass pro-family legislation, protect IVF, and what we’re up against.
HOSTS
President & CEO, Barb Collura
Chief Engagement Officer, Betsy Campbell
Chief External Affairs Officer, Rebecca Flick
ABOUT RESOLVE
RESOLVE: The National Infertility Association is the largest non-profit patient advocacy organization in the country focusing on increasing access to all family building options through insurance coverage and policy changes as well as protecting fertility care like IVF from legislation.
Hi. You're listening to Infertility Discourse, a podcast from RESOLVE the National Infertility Association. I'm one of your hosts, Rebecca Flick.
Barb Collura:And I am Barb Collura
Betsy Cambpell:And it's Betsy Campbell.
Rebecca Flick:Hello, friends. Well, today's episode is a little bittersweet. The title is It's So Hard to Say Goodbye, a nod to the song from Boyz to Men, because not only are we gonna say goodbye to 2024 in this episode, we are also going to say goodbye to Betsy. Our our fearless advocacy leader, Betsy Campbell, is starting a new chapter in her life.
Rebecca Flick:Betsy, what's your next title going to be?
Betsy Cambpell:Well, officially, it's Lovey because I'm gonna be a first time grandparent. And so I'm retiring, November 1st, which it's just starting to sink in. We've known for a little while now, and it hasn't felt real, but it's starting to feel real, especially, with this episode. But, you know, like we say, it's all about family.
Barb Collura:Now I want the record to show that I did beg. I want the record to show that I did ask if she would be a consultant. I've had people ask me all these things, so I just want the rec I wanna be on record that, yes, I did all of those things. I did I did not talk to to Betsy's husband or Betsy's daughter or son-in-law, but I did beg. I did, ask her all of those things, and she was very committed to her new plan, and I my powers of persuasion fell flat.
Barb Collura:So, but I just I needed to get that out. So, Betsy, we are so thrilled for you. You know, if there was one reason why you would leave resolve, I'm this is it. Right? Yep.
Barb Collura:And so one, because it's a happy reason, it's not because of some something else I won't, you know, won't go down that that road, but a very wonderful happy new chapter in your life, and that you're gonna be such a dedicated, grandparent. You're gonna move to be near your daughter and son-in-law, so you have all that going on. So we are, we're just so happy for you and and can't wait to follow along with this next chapter of your life.
Betsy Cambpell:Yeah. I mean, truly, the only reason that I would ever leave such a wonderful job where you get to help people build their families is because now I get to help my growing family. So thank you for all your understanding, and I'm not disappearing. I'll still be around.
Rebecca Flick:Available to, you know, review a bad bill or something, maybe?
Betsy Cambpell:I think so. A lot of people have my cell phone numbers.
Rebecca Flick:Yeah. That's true.
Betsy Cambpell:To hear from folks still.
Rebecca Flick:Well, Betsy, tell our listeners, when did you start at RESOLVE?
Betsy Cambpell:Gosh, I started in 2013, January, so almost 12 years. So the child who's now having a baby was applying to colleges. So yeah, it's an interesting way of, marking time, but what a ride it's been. I I'm sensitive to saying this on a podcast about infertility, but, you know, I've always said, you know, I feel like being a mom is the best job in the world, and, boy, resolve is right up there, looking for Resolve. So I've I've worked for other organizations that I am passionate about, care deeply about, but, truly working for Resolve has been the most rewarding work of my career. And the people oh, don't get me started on the people. Just the best people need to be.
Rebecca Flick:We're gonna try really hard to keep us together, I think, because I think it's hitting Barb and I too, every day. We're like, okay. What's today when we're recording this?
Betsy Cambpell:Yeah. How many days do we have left, Barb, before? Before.
Barb Collura:It's called deep breaths every day. Deep breaths. Yeah. I mean, I you know, it is it is, while we're while we're so happy, it's it's also really, you know, a little a little scary, a little stressful as we think about how do we, how do we move forward and make sure that all the great work that Betsy, manages on a day to day basis, you know, doesn't doesn't slip, and that's my lens, you know, as as the president and CEO.
Barb Collura:How do we how do we ensure that? And, yes, we are we are gonna be hiring somebody to replace Betsy. We're in in the recruitment process right now. But, you know, you have a lot of wisdom and a lot of, a lot of smarts, and we just, you know, we're really gonna miss that and, of course, how you work with people and and everything. So so, yeah, Rebecca, you and I will be, like, you know, holding each other up as we as we try and get through this.
Betsy Cambpell:Well, a fun fact, though, when I started at RESOLVE, I was not doing state advocacy. I oversaw our volunteer programs and specifically our support groups and our walks of hope. And, Barb, you did both state and federal advocacy. But one day, you decided, you know what? I really need to, take something off my plate to focus on doing more CEO president type things.
Betsy Cambpell:And so you asked if I would take on state advocacy, and I'm just so grateful that you entrusted me with that and mentored me. So really, it's sort of I know you're not really you're not gonna take this back, but whoever comes on next will still have that extraordinary, mentor and institutional knowledge that you then imparted to me all those years ago.
Barb Collura:Well and I appreciate that, but you've also done that with your team and and others and volunteers. So you have now, done and mentored and trained, you know, so many people along the way that that just that ripple effect has just really, really incredibly grown. And so, I'm grateful for that that when you walk out the door, we we have a lot of you in in other staff as well as in many, many volunteers across the country, both who are professionals and patient advocates. So, so thank you for that. What's a highlight or a couple highlights for you, Betsy, over these past 11 years?
Betsy Cambpell:I know. You know, I had to sort of check the calendar to sort of think about that. You know, obviously, we just had California last week, which is huge to cap 5 years of work, and, people were always surprised. California?
Betsy Cambpell:Really? It's like, yeah. The same when we worked in New York for 5 years. People are shocked. And then when I first started, we were sort of just trying to improve some of the existing mandates, because a lot of these past decades ago, where infertility was, you know, defined in a very heteronormative way in a certain number of months of heterosexual intercourse.
Betsy Cambpell:So we were trying to sort of improve and make these laws inclusive and and or, you know, remove other some, you had to be married and things like that. So we spent the 1st years just trying to improve existing mandates, and then Delaware happened with an amazing advocate, a patient who just couldn't believe that the disease she had wasn't covered by insurance, and so she got a bill introduced, and we, supported her, again, you know, bringing our partners to the table, And lo and behold, in 2018, Delaware is actually referred to as the 1st state. It became the 1st state in 13 years to pass a mandate. So for 13 years, no state introduced infertility insurance mandate, which is just kinda crazy. And so I feel like Delaware started this movement where, okay, we can pass new laws, and, I think Delaware had become the 16th state at the time, and we're now at 22 states plus DC.
Rebecca Flick:That's amazing.
Betsy Cambpell:And nearly 16,000,000
Barb Collura:Yeah. I was gonna say, say this say the number because now I interrupted you. So I'm gonna let you just say and and say it very slowly and what it is because I want people who are listening to just pause and take in what you just are saying.
Betsy Cambpell:So 6 since we began this work with our partners in 2016, and I know we're gonna talk about our partners in a little while, but since 2016, nearly 60,000,000 Well, actually, you know what? You can't say I was gonna say 60,000,000 people, but really the term is covered lives. So through our work, we now have 60,000,000 covered lives, meaning these people have access to insurance coverage for infertility and family building. It's amazing.
Barb Collura:Can I just say, had we not focused on that, had there not been an investment of time and money, had our partners decided this was not a priority, we would not be sitting here in October of 2024 saying 60,000,000 covered lives?
Betsy Cambpell:Right.
Barb Collura:And how do we know it's 60,000,000? Because every time a state passes a fertility preservation or an IVF mandate, we find out how many people, how many covered lives are in those plans, like California, large group market, fully insured large group market. They tell you, oh, it's 10a half 1000000 people or whatever it is. Right, Betsy? 10a half 9,000,000 plus 1 and a half 1000000 state employees are covered.
Barb Collura:There you go. 9,000,000 plus 1 hello. We know. 10 and a half million.
Barb Collura:We add that up. We add it up. We add it up, and that's where we get the 60,000,000. So it's it's scientific. It's not a guess, and that's where it comes from, and it's not a it's not a oh, those are employers.
Barb Collura:Those are people who volunteer. No. This is the work of this coalition through state legislation, fertility preservation or IVF coverage. So I I just wanna be clear on that because that a lot of people go, so I'm sure that it's because, you know, a lot of big companies added benefit, and we're not talking about that.
Betsy Cambpell:Right. And we're not talking about the federal government where we got some exciting news too, and that's millions of covered lives there.
Rebecca Flick:Well, there's 60,000,000 thank yous coming your way, Betsy, for sure. What I know you always taught me so much about how every state is different, in terms. And so how, how did you manage that all these years? Like really understanding the kind of the personality in every state legislature that you've worked in?
Betsy Cambpell:Well, I guess I want to preface by saying it's never about RESOLVE going into a state. Like this national organization is not going into a state and deciding you're gonna be our next state. It's the there's a grassroots movement that's sort of percolating, or there's interest in the state among the patient community or the professional community who's seeing their patients struggle or who are spending more time talking about insurance than about the medical treatment they can provide. And so we hear about states from people on the ground who are facing these barriers and wanna make it better. And so we, start talking with them, learning more about the legislative landscape.
Betsy Cambpell:I mean, we don't wanna go in a state where it's gonna be, hopeless or where a good bill could be turned into a bad bill. So there are definitely some ingredients that need to be there, but the number one is that there's, grassroots support, that the people in the state want this, need this, and are willing to work for it. And that's when we come in, and then we've got model legislation that we know works. It's passed in other states, gives patients the best chance of success. It's been vetted by medical professionals as as well as payers and, you know, the whole gamut.
Betsy Cambpell:So we know it it works, and and then we find, champions for our legislation, lawmakers who understand. Sometimes it's a constituent has already reached out to their lawmaker, and then the lawmaker needs to introduce legislation. So they're looking around to see, you know, who are the experts, and sure enough, you know, RESOLVE, comes to the table. So there are a lot of, ingredients necessary, but really, I think the most important is there needs to be a grassroots movement that we can tap into, build, nurture, and and, you know, get us get us over the finish line.
Rebecca Flick:I think that's what you've taught me the most, you know, because as the person that leads RESOLVE's Communication and wanting our brand to be strong, you would just sometimes say to me, it's not about us, Rebecca. And that it was, like, you know, definitely learning over the years how we position ourselves. And it it's one of my favorite things to watch to watch you do that where you I mean, now that I'm now that I get to connect in different ways to the volunteers that are in these coalitions in these states, you do have the best job at RESOLVE because those people are amazing and inspiring and gets us thinking about it gets it gets me outside the day to day grind sometimes, you know, and I just think about, you know, Mariah in Minnesota or the people I've gotten to meet in the coalition in California, and it's so easy to get caught up in the day to day, but then when you realize that there are real people doing the work on the ground, we're very, very fortunate for them. So thank you for that life lesson, Betsy.
Betsy Cambpell:Oh, absolutely. It's it really is the best community, and I know everyone gets tired of me, saying that, but, you know, it's a combination of people who are still struggling, but also people who have resolved and just wanna make it easier for the next person. And truly, it's, just the most remarkable community and and the professionals as well, who just want to be able to deliver the care they know they can to help people build their families. You know, and we always try to marry the patient voice and the professional voice, because the more voices we bring in, the louder we are, and the more we get heard, and the more we get done.
Barb Collura:I do wanna emphasize the ingredients. You've mentioned several things, and you used you even would use the word ingredients, and and it, you know, it it takes a lot to, have success at the state level, and you really do need those ingredients. And I think that's one of the things that you are have been so good at is identifying those ingredients and also recognizing when something's missing and being willing to either try recognizing when something's missing and being willing to either try and fill that gap. Like, okay. We're missing this.
Barb Collura:Can we find it? Is does it exist? How do we how do we, you know, you don't wanna immediately say no, and you've you've been always been, you know, you're quicker to yes than you are to no. But if in fact, there's some key ingredients that are missing, you know, you do such a great job of knowing that and being able to to communicate to the whole rest of the group. Hey.
Barb Collura:We've got a couple of key ingredients here that are missing or that are dangers to us, and this is not a good move for us to do this right now, this particular state, and we're gonna work on those gaps, or we're gonna come back for another day, and I I think that that takes real leadership instead of just saying yes, yes, yes, yes, yes, we can try and do all of this for all people. We work try and work really really smart, and it's not always about a win, but how can we advance something and move forward because, Betsy, you mentioned California, New York, some states that took a long time. People think they introduce a bill and it gets passed, and I think one of the things with your experience, you've you've you've seen the long long game. You know the marathon versus the sprint analogy, and you're able to see that, you know, that horizon and get people excited and motivated to stay the course, but not wasting our time, and I think that's, that's I know we're gonna talk about some of our priorities for 2025, but it's it's not easy to say no.
Barb Collura:And I know that, you do that with, very with much tact and compassion, but also with a lot of smarts and data to go behind it.
Betsy Cambpell:Well, thank you. And one of the words we haven't mentioned is it takes resources You know, in addition to, you know, spending the time. I mean, we have weekly calls in the states where we're active, but often, it takes a lobbyist who's there on the ground every single day. And so we need the funds to be able to hire a lobbyist. In some states, we need extra PR. We need to make sure we're on the news.
Betsy Cambpell:And, you know, in the publication seems like an old fashioned we're in the the media print.
Rebecca Flick:Print media.
Betsy Cambpell:Yeah. Or whatever that lawmakers are reading. We want them to be reading about our bill and our community stories. And, you know, that takes resources. It takes funds.
Betsy Cambpell:So, often part of it is, you know, turning to our partners and saying, Hey, can you help us in this particular state to hire a lobbyist, to hire a PR firm that then supports all that grassroots work, all our volunteers, the staff at Resolve, and our, other nonprofit partners, ASRM and the Alliance For fertility preservation and ASRM is the American Society For Reproductive Medicine. So those are the providers, and then the Alliance For Fertility Preservation, whose mission is to help cancer patients preserve their fertility. But we work beyond just cancer to help anyone who's at risk of medically induced infertility, whether that's from sickle cell or lupus or other, conditions where the medical treatment could potentially, lead to sterility.
Rebecca Flick:Betsy, I wanna give you a moment to, give your team a shout out. I know, you know, as as a a larger team at Resolve, we meet we meet, frequently, as a staff, and I know you'll be talking to them a lot over the next couple weeks before you're officially gone, but I'd love for you to give them a shout out. And so Yes.
Betsy Cambpell:Thank you for that. So, referred to as the access to care team. So besides myself and and, my title has been chief engagement officer, and I work closely with Ayesha Audu, who is our grassroots advocacy manager. A lot of people know Ayesha from her work organizing federal advocacy day and a committee of, like, over a 100 volunteers to to, put on that annual event, every year. And then, Ayesha is also my counterpart in the states, and she also works on state advocacy days where our community actually shows up at the capitol and meets with their lawmakers and reminds them, this is how important work of, we have a bill tracking system that she monitors, and she has put in the keywords to generate a list of bills that impact our community, both good and bad.
Betsy Cambpell:And so every week, especially when the legislatures are in session, she is notifying us of bills that have been introduced or when bills are moving and so forth. And she also puts together those all important action alerts that you receive in your inbox, setting them up so they go to the right lawmakers. And so she's sort of our behind the scenes person. And then we have this parallel program for coverage at work because, as you've heard us say, state mandates don't cover everyone. And so with coverage at work, we can reach the self insured employers or other, employers who can voluntarily add these benefits.
Betsy Cambpell:So Sylvia Dao is our access to care manager overseeing our coverage at work program, but she also supports Ayesha on federal advocacy day and also supports other team members. So very, fortunate to have such, a hardworking and dedicated, access to care team.
Rebecca Flick:And you have lots of colleagues at ASRM and AFP and our corporate partners as well that you work very closely with. So you work with a lot of people.
Betsy Cambpell:Yes. Yes. And, you know, I often talk to them more than I do the 2 of you because we're working in many states at the same time. And, you know, communication, transparency, those are the key ingredients to, working in a coalition.
Rebecca Flick:Well, let's wrap up, 2024. You know, state, advocacy kind of has a season, but we've seen that season extend further and further into the year. Yeah. You know, we used to be able to say, oh, January to June is our busy state advocacy season, but how has that changed, Betsy, and and how how did we end 2024 this year?
Betsy Cambpell:Yeah. Well, some states like California, their session actually, runs through September. So they go, you know, January to September. The session, this year ended on September 30th, and our bill was signed into law on September 29th. So it went right to the end.
Betsy Cambpell:And although most sessions did end in May or June, and in some years, sessions are very small. Last year in Oregon, the session was gonna be 35 days, Not enough time to really get anything done. So rather than, you know, introduce a bill that we knew wouldn't go anywhere, instead, we met with lawmakers to, educate them and enlist their support, and we needed to find new bill champions. So we did all our homework, this past year, and now our bill will be ready for reintroduction. So in terms of, priority states for 2025, we have a number of carryover bills.
Betsy Cambpell:So, you know, we did. California, I'm happy to say, you know, that's a victory, but we also have to be very careful and mindful about the implementation. So we'll still be active in California to make sure the law goes into effect, the way it was intended. But will also, be in Oregon and Washington state again. And I think, you know, California's a big deal, because guess what?
Betsy Cambpell:It's the 1st West Coast state. You know, when you look at RESOLVE's map, you see a lot of states on the East Coast that have had mandates for decades. Literally, the first mandate was passed in Maryland in 1985. I mean, that's almost 40 years ago, and we just passed the 1st pandemic on the West Coast last week. Kinda crazy, but I think that that's really gonna help us in these western states of Oregon, Washington, and maybe some other, states as we watch to see what happens with this election.
Betsy Cambpell:Minnesota's another carryover state. So I think it'll be our our 4th year in Minnesota in 2025. And then we're adding a couple of new states, Michigan and Pennsylvania. We're gonna be working on fertility preservation in Hawaii. That's another carryover state.
Betsy Cambpell:So we've got a lot on our plate for 2025.
Rebecca Flick:And so what we're looking for is really advocates. Right? We're looking we need stories, and we need people on the ground, helping. And so if you are in one of those states that Betsy just mentioned, you know, we will be reaching out and actively recruiting people to join us and to to be part of this.
Betsy Cambpell:Advocacy network, and you'll be the first to know if something's going on in your state. And look, our priorities are can change. You know? If if the election shakes things up, we may be adding priorities or adjusting priorities, and, you know, we we need everyone, to be involved.
Rebecca Flick:Do you have a state, Betsy, where you call it the one that got away that you won't be able to see the reality?
Betsy Cambpell:Well, you know what? I actually feel like we've let we've laid some really important groundwork, and, you know, we've been talking about 2024 being the year of IVF. I think 2025 could be the year of IVF insurance. I think some of these states where we've been working for 3, 4 years, that 2025 could be the year. So I think I guess, I don't feel like it's the I would have said that about California, so thank goodness that, that governor Newsom signed that bill.
Rebecca Flick:Oh, good. Well, we're looking at you, Minnesota. Yes. I'm not gonna I'm not gonna sugarcoat that. We're looking at you, Minnesota.
Rebecca Flick:Let's get this done.
Barb Collura:We're looking at you, Washington state. We're looking at you, Oregon, and we're definitely looking at you, Minnesota. Like, you're gonna let California beat you to the punch while you did, and now it's time to, to get your act together because I think anyone would agree that those 3 states are in just by, you know, their their political makeup, the types of things that they care about, that this should be absolutely something that they don't wanna be on the left out list because that's where they are now. They're on the the list of here's the here's this forward looking pro family care about our community states, and they're not on it. And it's FOMO, and I've I'm hoping that that that transcends to the state legislators, and they realize how bad they look.
Barb Collura:So, I I'm with Betsy. I'm I'm hoping that there is the year of IVF leads the year leads to the year of IVF insurance and more and more, people getting coverage.
Rebecca Flick:Well, anything, Barb, you wanna say to Betsy as we
Betsy Cambpell:Oh, gosh. Wrap up our episode.
Rebecca Flick:I know we have we'll have lots of time too
Barb Collura:we'll have lots of time. I I you know, it's it's wonderful to have an opportunity to in a podcast for people to hear that, and then we can go back to it because certainly when you say something, you know, one time in front of a group of people in a room, it's like, you know, it's kind of come and gone. So that's yeah. I said some of this last week. We had our our planning meeting for 2025, and we had all of our coalition partners and others in the room, and, you know, everyone was just talking so great about you and and what you've meant to them personally as well as professionally, and, you know, I think it takes more than just somebody knowing their job to run a coalition and to do what you do and you bring a lot of incredible intelligence to to your work, but you bring tremendous compassion, strategy.
Barb Collura:You're a fantastic communicator. Also, you're just so transparent, but you're so thoughtful about your communication and ensuring that people are heard and that that we at Resolve are communicating the in the most effective manner, and so the care, all of that, the care and the professionalism that you bring, and then you're just so damn nice. Right? I mean, everybody always talks about, oh my god. Betsy's the best.
Barb Collura:Betsy's so and she is. You know, she really is. It's not like a thing. It's not like she just does that and then behind the scenes, she really is. She really is that nice.
Barb Collura:And so it's always, you know, it it's always such a pleasure anytime to be able to work on a project with you, but as the president CEO, knowing that you are, bringing that image, if you will, that those values of resolve out into the world, you know, I remember so many times you'd be, like, can I do this? Is it okay? I'm like, Betsy. Yes. There's nothing you can do.
Barb Collura:Like, you have my full confidence, my full support, and trust. Right? And so that never was in question, and and so you have represented this organization impeccably, and it's been amazing having you out there waving the result brand and flag and and our and our mission. So thank you. Thank you for everything you've done for this community, but also for moving resolve forward.
Betsy Cambpell:Thank you so much. I really don't have the words. I'm I proudly wear my resolve orange, which I have on today. I don't know if there'll be any video clips, but, what is it? I bleed orange?
Betsy Cambpell:Is there something? Yeah. Something like that. But, no, this has truly been just, the most rewarding, work of my career. And it hasn't felt like work, Honestly, I mean, I think for so many of us in this community, it really feels like a calling, and it doesn't get any better than trying to help people build their families.
Betsy Cambpell:The team at RESOLVE is like family, and that's because of you, Barb, and how you run our organization. And I know Rebecca's been by your side for almost all of those 20 years or so. But I think I think that actually probably really sets the tone. You know, we are all about family. It's how we work.
Betsy Cambpell:And, we respect each other and want the best for each other. And that extends to our community of volunteers. We would RESOLVE would be nothing without our volunteers, and I just feel like it's been such a privilege to work with so many awesome volunteers. They are truly the most passionate, compassionate people you'll ever meet, and I'm just, I have the best memories truly of working, in this beloved space. So thank you.
Betsy Cambpell:Thank you. Thank you to everyone listening. Thank you to Barb and Rebecca and my team and just everyone for being so supportive and prioritizing, helping people build their families. I was so inspired, by hearing Barbara Eck and Barb Collura's conversation with Barbara Eck. 50 years, I am passing the baton, but I will be rooting from afar and and cheering on this important work and the most awesome people in this community, including the 2 of you that I am looking at right now on my monitor.
Rebecca Flick:And I'm trying I'm not I'm trying not to look at you, Betsy, so I don't get emotional, especially because I'm usually the one that brings the jokes, but I will not, and so we'll end there and say thank you, and, please don't be confused, listeners, if you hear Betsy on a later podcast after the release of this episode, but we wanna soak in her knowledge for a couple more couple more episodes, but we felt it was important to kind of dedicate this one to you, and you will you will be missed, and we love you very much. So Thank you. It is so hard to say goodbye.
Rebecca Flick:Chandler's tart right now.
Barb Collura:All all our best, Betsy. And, we can't wait to see pictures of you and the baby and tell you all the great things that are going on here at RESOLVE. All the best.
Betsy Cambpell:Thank you. Love y'all.