Proposed Law Would Increase Access to Fertility Treatment

The Access to Infertility Treatment and Care Act of 2023, a bipartisan measure introduced this year, would increase access to infertility treatment by mandating that the majority of private health insurance plans, as well as those provided by Medicaid, TRICARE, ERISA, the Federal Employees Health Benefits Program, and the VA, cover infertility treatment without increasing insurance or copayment costs.

Additionally, the bill would guarantee that fertility preservation services, such as chemotherapy, be covered by these plans for women undergoing medically necessary procedures that have the potential to induce infertility.

Many people find infertility treatment to be unaffordable, with a single cycle of in vitro fertilization (IVF) frequently costing more than $10,000. Many infertile couples are just not able to pay for the necessary medical care.

The Access to Infertility Treatment and Care Act of 2023 is viewed by many as a significant advancement in reproductive justice. Regardless of their income or job status, it would provide wider access to the infertility treatment couples need to start a family.

What next?

It is unclear how likely it is that the Access to Infertility Treatment and Care Act will pass. Although the bill does have bipartisan support, but it is unclear whether it has enough

Numerous groups, including the American Medical Association, the Society for Assisted Reproductive Technology (SART), and the American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists, have endorsed the bill. Several private companies, including Amazon, Google, and Salesforce, also support the bill.

At the same time, it has also been strongly opposed by groups who argue that it would be an overreach of government power and that it would subsidize elective procedures.

There is a lot of support for both sides of this complicated topic. The political climate in the upcoming months and years will have an impact on the outcome of this specific law.

It’s important to note that there are other bills being considered that will increase access to infertility treatments in addition to the Access to Infertility Treatment and Care Act. It’s possible that one of the other proposals that have been submitted in Congress—like the Fertility Treatment Coverage Equity Act—will pass in its place.