Nada Hassanein | (TNS) Stateline.org

Elizabeth Bauer was working out at the gym one morning last August when she got a phone call from her fertility nurse. It was a call that Bauer and her wife, Rebecca, had long been waiting for.

Elizabeth dialed in Rebecca so they could listen together: They were pregnant.

The Washington, D.C., couple decided before they got married three years ago that they wanted to have a child. Both wanted to play a biological part in the pregnancy. So, they used a process called reciprocal in vitro fertilization, through which eggs were retrieved from Rebecca and fertilized with donor sperm to create embryos. Then one of the embryos was implanted in Elizabeth’s uterus.

Elizabeth, a 35-year-old elementary school teacher, and Rebecca, a 31-year-old nonprofit consultant, had health insurance, but it wouldn’t cover the roughly $20,000 procedure, so they had to pay out of pocket.

But beginning next year, insurers providing coverage in D.C. will have to pay for IVF for beneficiaries, including same-sex couples, who can’t conceive on their own. Only seven states (Colorado, Delaware, Illinois, Maine, Maryland, New Jersey and New York) have similar mandates. However, a new definition of “infertility” could prompt other states to follow suit.

The American Society for Reproductive Medicine in October expanded the definition of infertility to include all patients who require medical intervention, such as use of donor gametes or embryos, to conceive as a single parent or with a partner. Previously, the organization defined infertility as a condition in which heterosexual couples couldn’t conceive after a year of unprotected intercourse.

The group emphasized the new definition should not “be used to deny or delay treatment to any individual, regardless of relationship status or sexual orientation.”

Dr. Mark Leondires, a reproductive endocrinologist and founder and medical director at Illume Fertility and Gay Parents To Be, said the new definition could make a huge difference.

“It gives us extra ammunition to say, ‘Listen, everybody who meets the definition of infertility, whether it’s an opposite-sex couple or same-sex couple or single person, who wants to have a child should have access to fertility services,’” he said.

At least four states (California, Connecticut, Massachusetts and Rhode Island) are currently weighing broader IVF coverage mandates that would explicitly include same-sex couples, according to RESOLVE: The National Infertility Association. Bills were introduced but failed to advance in Oregon, Washington and Wisconsin.

A recent policy shift at the federal level also might add to the momentum. Earlier this month, the departments of Defense and Veterans Affairs announced expanded IVF service benefits to patients regardless of marital status, sexual orientation or whether they are using donor eggs or sperm. The new policy follows a lawsuit filed in federal court last year.

“The federal government is the largest employer in the country, so if they’re providing these type of benefits, it definitely adds pressure on other employers and states to do the same,” said Betsy Campbell, RESOLVE’s chief engagement officer.

A total of 21 states have laws mandating that private insurers cover fertility treatments, but only 15 include at least one cycle of IVF in that mandate. Only New York and Illinois provide some fertility coverage for people who are insured through Medicaid, the state-federal program for people with low incomes and disabilities. Neither state covers IVF for Medicaid recipients.

100,000 babies

IVF involves collecting mature eggs from ovaries, using donated sperm to fertilize them in a lab, and then placing one or more of the fertilized eggs, or embryos, in a uterus. One full cycle of IVF can take up to six weeks and can cost between $20,000 and $30,000. Many patients need multiple cycles before getting pregnant.

Nearly 100,000 babies in the U.S. were born in 2021 through IVF and other forms of assisted reproductive technology, such as intrauterine insemination, according to federal data.

IVF continues to garner nationwide attention in the wake of the Alabama Supreme Court’s ruling last month that under state law, frozen IVF embryos are children, meaning patients or IVF facilities can be criminally charged for destroying them. The decision caused an uproar, and three weeks later Alabama Republican Gov. Kay Ivey signed a bill into law that provides criminal and civil immunity for IVF clinicians and patients.

Polly Crozier, director of family advocacy at GLBTQ Legal Advocates & Defenders, or GLAD, described the Alabama decision as “a shock to the system.” But Crozier said the reaction to it sparked a “bipartisan realization that family-building health care is important to so many people.”

Crozier praised the insurance mandates in Colorado, Illinois, Maine and Washington, D.C., for more explicitly including LGBTQ+ people. Maine’s law, for example, states that a fertility patient includes an “individual unable to conceive as an individual or with a partner because the individual or couple does not have the necessary gametes for conception,” and says that health insurers can’t “impose any limitations on coverage for any fertility services based on an enrollee’s use of donor gametes, donor embryos or surrogacy.”

Christine Guarda, financial services representative at the Center for Advanced Reproductive Services at the University of Connecticut School of Medicine, said more same-sex couples are seeking help starting families. One reason, she said, is that more large employers that provide insurance directly to their employees, such as Amazon, are including broad IVF coverage.

‘Elective procedure’?

But some lawmakers are skeptical of expanding the definition of infertility to include same-sex couples. That was evident at a hearing on the Connecticut bill earlier this month, where Republican state Rep. Cara Pavalock-D’Amato noted that “infertility isn’t necessarily elective, but having a baby is.”

“Now, we are changing definitions to cover elective procedures,” Pavalock-D’Amato said. “If we’re changing the definition for this elective procedure, then why not others as well?”

She added: “Infertility, whether you are straight or gay, up to this point has been a requirement. Now, is it through this bill that we are no longer requiring people to be sick? They no longer have to be infertile?”

But proponents of the change argue that extending IVF mandates to cover same-sex couples is a question of fairness.

“I don’t think anybody in the LGBTQ community is asking for more. They’re just asking for the same benefit, and it is discriminatory to say, ‘You don’t get the same benefit as your colleague simply because you have a same-sex partner,’” Leondires said in an interview.

“If you’re paying to the same health care system as the person sitting next to you, then you should have the same benefit,” he said.

Elizabeth and Rebecca Bauer, who are busy decorating a nursery and buying baby clothes, recognize that they were fortunate to have the money to pursue IVF even without insurance coverage, and that “there are plenty of people who don’t have the time or the ability.”

“There are so many ways that people who want to build a family might struggle,” Elizabeth said, adding that the previous infertility definition felt like a “pretty impossible barrier” for non-straight couples. “Insurance should make building a family possible for any person or persons who want to.”

Stateline is part of States Newsroom, a national nonprofit news organization focused on state policy.

They came from different parts of the country, one from Florida, the other from Southern California, but they wound up as roommates first, and then friends, during their teenage years.

There was no way of knowing, a decade earlier, when Royce Lewis and Austin Martin were sitting on the bench watching their teammates compete that they would reunite years down the road as teammates once again, this time in the major leaguers.

“We’ve been friends since we were 14, 15 years old,” Martin said. “We roomed together whenever we played for USA, so it’s cool to be in a big-league clubhouse with him being my cubby-mate.”

The two may not share the field any time soon — Martin was promoted over the weekend because Lewis suffered a quad injury on Opening Day that will sideline him for more than a month — but they should later on in the season.

And even though Martin’s big-league chance came at his expense, Lewis is excited to see Martin make the most of his chance.

“He’s well-deserved up here. I’m very glad he got an opportunity,” Lewis said. “If it had to be me going down for him, then I think it’s worth it, absolutely. He’s going to be a great player. He won’t be getting sent down anytime soon.”

They’ve come a long way from their days playing for USA Baseball’s U-15 team in the WBSC U-15 Baseball World Cup.

Both were initially overlooked by their coach, beginning the youth tournament, which was played in the summer of 2014 in Mazatlan, Mexico, on the bench.

“The coach didn’t believe in us or something because he put us on the bench and he told us straight up, ‘Yeah, you guys aren’t going to be playing unless something happens,’ ” Lewis remembered. “Some guys were struggling out of the gate, we were given a cool opportunity, and he didn’t take us out of the lineup after we got that opportunity.”

Once they got on the field, they both made the most of their chances — Lewis hit .462 in the tournament and slugged .808. His 12 RBIs were second on the team, even though he only played in eight of the team’s 10 games. Martin batted .533 in the eight games he played.

Years later, both would be top-five picks in the MLB draft. Lewis was selected first overall by the Twins in 2017 out of high school, and Martin was picked fifth by the Toronto Blue Jays in 2020 out of Vanderbilt.

“It’s a lot harder (evaluating) when you’re 14, you know?” Lewis said. “… That’s just a lesson for kids out there all the time: if you’re not making a team, it doesn’t matter. The big leagues will find you.”

The big leagues did find them and though they’ve come a long way from their teenage years, both say the other is just the same as he was back in the day.

Lewis described a young Martin as “chill, laid-back” and “ready to just go ball out for you, give you whatever he’s got.” A younger Lewis was “super energetic, super positive, always joking,” Martin said, just as he is now.

Martin made his Twins debut on Saturday, pinch running and playing defense for an inning before being pinch hit for. He started his first career game on Sunday in center field and now should have an opportunity to make an impact with the Twins in the coming weeks.

“I can’t wait to see what he does,” Lewis said. “He’s going to do something special.”

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Jeff Ostrowski | (TNS) Bankrate.com

In a real estate transaction, there’s always some level of negotiation. If you’re the seller, you face haggling not only with prospective buyers, but also with the person you’re working with to seal the deal: your real estate agent.

Thanks to a federal lawsuit that was recently settled, the way real estate commissions work will change in July 2024 (pending court approval). If you’re looking to save some money, here’s what you need to know about how commissions work, and how to agree on a rate that both you and your agent can feel good about.

How real estate commission works, and who pays for it

A generation ago, real estate commission rates were typically around 6% of a home’s sale price. But the average real estate commission rate has gone down in recent years to just under 5% of a home’s sale price, according to Real Trends, a real estate research and consulting firm, and to Anywhere Real Estate, the parent of Century 21, Coldwell Banker and other brokerage brands.

Under the current system, the fee is typically paid by the seller at closing, and it’s customarily split down the middle between the seller’s agent and the buyer’s agent. (So, for a 5% commission, each agent would earn 2.5%.) On a $400,000 transaction, which is around the median sale price nationwide, the 5% fee amounts to $20,000.

Agents and brokerages can offer a variety of commission structures, though, with some marketing flat fees or other incentives. So there may be opportunity to negotiate the rate if you’re looking to save on the cost of selling your home.

“There are agents and brokerages that reduce, discount or coupon their services,” says Kevin Van Eck, an executive with @properties, a brokerage in Chicago. “Each agent, along with their brokerage, can determine where they set commissions based on the value and success created.”

Can you negotiate Realtor fees?

Often, yes, there is room for bargaining. And as of July, there may be even more room. As a result of a lawsuit involving the National Association of Realtors (NAR) and several major brokerages, new commission rules will take effect that month that will mean sellers no longer have to cover the cost of the buyer’s agent’s fee, which may lead to more aggressive price competition among buyer’s-side agents. In addition, listing agents will no longer be permitted to state the buyer’s agent commission in the MLS (multiple listing service), as has been common practice.

Your success at negotiating often depends on an individual agent’s circumstances, says Dave Liniger, chairman and co-founder of RE/MAX Real Estate. “Some agents are dead-set,” he says. “Other agents need the business so bad they’ll readily negotiate.”

As you prepare to list your home for sale, you may want to meet with a few listing agents to find the right one for the job. Ask each agent about their commission rate and what exactly you’ll be getting for that price. Consider not only how the agent plans to market your home, but also their skill in pricing it, experience, resources and track record.

“It’s OK for a seller to ask about the commission, but the best time is after talking with the agent and understanding their experience, how they will create exposure for the home and the value they bring to the table,” says Van Eck.

Liniger suggests that sellers invite three to five listing agents to their homes to make their pitches. The competing proposals will let you see how much agents charge, and give you leverage to bargain for a better deal. “You don’t get if you don’t ask,” he says.

You might also consider weighing what you learn from full-service agents against the services of a discount broker. Just keep in mind that the discounter’s offerings may be limited compared to those of a traditional agent.

How to negotiate real estate commissions

Once you understand exactly what you’re paying for, you will be in a better position to ask for a discount. Here are some tips:

If you’re able to offer the agent more than one listing opportunity, that might be a compelling argument for a reduced commission. “If [you’re] a real estate investor who is looking to offload several properties, I would definitely talk about the commission,” says Dana Bull, an agent with Compass in the Boston area. Most agents welcome repeat business, she says.
If you don’t have another listing opportunity of your own to offer, try leveraging your ability recommend the agent to others in your neighborhood or network. This might be especially impactful if you know they are looking to build their business. “I can’t just slash my commission, but I might be willing to give a slight discount if the client offered some sort of other strategy to get more business after the sale,” Bull says.
If you have a home in a sought-after area, or a buyer already interested, or an unusually high sale price, your agent may not need to do as much to earn their fee. If neither party can foresee the need for additional services — “if an agent is coming in to basically just do some hand-holding, keeping the transaction on schedule and assisting with paperwork,” Bull says — that might be another good reason to propose a slightly lower rate.
If you plan to buy a new home while selling your current one, use that in your favor. Liniger says an agent who can represent you on both the sale and the subsequent purchase will likely be willing to cut their fee.

You may be considering skipping the commission conversation entirely and selling your home yourself. If so, be aware: While an experienced house flipper might be skilled enough to list a home without an agent, for most homeowners, the for-sale-by-owner route can be more challenging, more costly and more time-consuming in the long run.

Bottom line

In any negotiation, both parties must be willing to give and take. Negotiating your agent’s commission can work in your favor, but an agent can walk away if they don’t necessarily need your business. Keep in mind, too, that it can make sense for sellers to pay more for additional services instead of negotiating the commission down, Bull says. These might include higher-end marketing, home staging or additional mailers, for instance. And if you’re not in a rush, consider waiting until after the July rule change to see how things shake out. Ultimately, it’s important to find an agent you can speak with openly about cost, and who you trust to do the best job to sell your home.

(Visit Bankrate online at bankrate.com.)

©2024 Bankrate.com. Distributed by Tribune Content Agency, LLC.

3M announced Monday that it had completed the spin-off of its health care business into the independent, publicly-traded company Solventum, which likely qualifies as its own Fortune 500 company, as well as a $10.3 billion federal settlement over “forever chemicals” in public water supplies.

Mike Roman, CEO of 3M. (Scott Takushi / Pioneer Press)

The new health care business, which began trading Monday on the New York Stock Exchange under the ticker symbol SOLV, had sales of $8.2 billion in 2023 while still part of Maplewood-based 3M. The new company spans 22,000 employees in 38 countries, including some 1,100 workers in the St. Paul area.

The revenue threshold to make Fortune Magazine’s “Fortune 500” list of the largest corporations in the United States last June was $7.2 billion. 3M retains a 19.9% stake in the outstanding shares of Solventum common stock.

Solventum’s wide-ranging products include medical-surgical devices, oral care from toothpastes and fluorides to orthodontia, home water filtration and purification systems, and healthcare information software that is used in more than 75% of U.S. hospitals.

In a statement, officials said 3M shareholders received one share of Solventum common stock for every four shares of 3M common stock held at the close of business on March 18. Bryan Hanson, chief executive officer of Solventum, and other members of the Solventum leadership team were expected to present the new company to traders on Wednesday morning by ringing the bell that opens the New York Stock Exchange.

“Solventum is now better positioned to create long-term value for shareholders through a greater focus on our core business, an enhanced ability to execute on industry-specific growth and market strategies and tailored capital allocation strategies,” said Hanson, in a written statement.

3M, which launched in 1902 in Two Harbors, Minn., was founded as Minnesota Mining and Manufacturing and specialized in mining mineral deposits for sandpaper and grinding wheels. The conglomerate, best known for Post-it notes and Scotch sticky tape, has since expanded into some 600,000 products, from stationery to chemical sealants and welding helmets.

3M has faced numerous lawsuits over faulty military earplugs as well as forever chemicals known as PFAS found in public drinking water, on top of slumping demand for some of its products in the era of remote and online work.

A $6 billion settlement with servicemen impacted by hearing loss was approved in August. Shares of 3M rose Monday as the conglomerate announced that a federal court in Charleston, S.C,, had approved its $10.3 billion PFAS settlement. Payments to public water suppliers are expected to roll out across 13 years, beginning in late 2024.

“The final approval of this settlement and continued progress toward exiting all PFAS manufacturing by the end of 2025 will further our efforts to reduce risk and uncertainty as we move forward,” said 3M chairman and CEO Mike Roman, in a written statement.

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