Bill to expand health plan coverage for certain infertility treatments

September 6, 2024 Brooklyn Eagle Staff

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CAPITOL HILL — HEALTH INSURANCE WOULD COVER INFERTILITY TREATMENTS such as in vitro fertilization, if a bipartisan bill becomes law. Brooklyn Congressmember Nicole Malliotakis (R-11) joined a bipartisan group in cosponsoring the Helping to Optimize Patients’ Experience (HOPE) with Fertility Services Act. This bipartisan legislation aims to expand coverage for infertility treatment such as in vitro fertilization (IVF) to be covered by private insurance which will ensure that infertility care is treated just as any other disease. Specifically, the bill amends the Employee Retirement Income Security Act (ERISA) to ensure that three narrowly tailored types of infertility are covered: Infertility due to a diagnosed disease or physical ailment that prevents the bringing of a child to full term live birth; unexplained infertility, such as a couple who cannot conceive a child after trying for at least 12 consecutive months; and iatrogenic infertility: infertility or anticipated infertility due to a course of treatment for another ailment such as cancer, which necessitates egg preservation to prevent their destruction from chemotherapy, for example. The bill’s co-sponsors include Congressmembers Lori Chavez-Deremer (R-5), Zach Nunn (R-3), Susan Wild (D-7) and Debbie Wasserman Schultz (D-25).

Malliotakis is also a cosponsor of H.Res.1037 which states “Providing the sense of the House of Representatives that in vitro fertilization (IVF) is necessary for women who cannot conceive naturally and for other purposes.”

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