Access to Fertility Treatment and Care Act | ChamberLight
Bills · HR 4648
IN COMMITTEE· 119TH CONGRESS
House BillHR 4648Health
Access to Fertility Treatment and Care Act
INTRO JUL 23· LAST ACTION DEC 19
READING
20MIN
COSPONSORS
4
READER REACTIONS0 TOTAL
NO VOTES YET · BE THE FIRST
Introduced only
LEGISLATIVE PROGRESS
STEP 2 / 8
Introduced
In Committee
Reported
Passed House
Passed Senate
Conference
To President
Became Law
WHAT THE BILL DOES
AI-written
This bill addresses a critical barrier to family building for many Americans: the prohibitively high cost of fertility treatments. Currently, few states mandate fertility coverage, leaving many individuals to pay tens of thousands of dollars out-of-pocket for treatments like IVF. If this bill becomes law, it would significantly expand access to these services nationwide, allowing more people to pursue their dreams of having children without facing immense financial strain.
Without this bill, the high costs and lack of comprehensive insurance coverage for fertility treatments would continue to disproportionately affect lower and middle-income families, as well as single individuals and LGBTQ+ couples. By making coverage mandatory where obstetrical services are covered, the bill aims to reduce disparities in access to care and ensure that family-building options are available to a broader segment of the population, aligning fertility care with other essential health services.
KEY PROVISIONS
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PROVISION 01
Requires health insurance plans that cover obstetrical (pregnancy/childbirth) services to also cover fertility treatments.
This provision ensures that plans offering basic reproductive care must also support family building for those needing assistance.
PROVISION 02
Defines "fertility treatment" broadly to include preservation of eggs/sperm/embryos, artificial insemination, in vitro fertilization (IVF), embryo genetic testing, and fertility medications.
A comprehensive definition ensures a wide range of clinically appropriate services are covered, not just limited procedures.
PROVISION 03
Mandates coverage for fertility treatment even if the person receiving it has not been diagnosed with infertility, as long as a healthcare provider deems it appropriate.
This is crucial for individuals who need fertility treatment but do not meet traditional definitions of infertility, such as single individuals or LGBTQ+ couples.
PROVISION 04
Prohibits cost-sharing (like deductibles and co-insurance) for fertility treatments from being higher than for other medical services covered by the plan.
This prevents insurance plans from making fertility treatments financially prohibitive through disproportionate out-of-pocket costs.
PROVISION 05
Prohibits plans from discriminating, offering incentives to discourage treatment, or penalizing providers for offering fertility care.
These protections aim to ensure fair access to treatment and open communication between patients and providers without undue influence from insurers.
Referred to the Committee on Energy and Commerce, and in addition to the Committees on Ways and Means, Education and Workforce, Oversight and Government Reform, Armed Services, and Veterans' Affairs, for a period to be subsequently determined by the Speaker, in each case for consideration of such provisions as fall within the jurisdiction of the committee concerned.
This bill addresses a critical barrier to family building for many Americans: the prohibitively high cost of fertility treatments. Currently, few states mandate fertility coverage, leaving many individuals to pay tens of thousands of dollars out-of-pocket for treatments like IVF. If this bill becomes law, it would significantly expand access to these services nationwide, allowing more people to pursue their dreams of having children without facing immense financial strain.
Without this bill, the high costs and lack of comprehensive insurance coverage for fertility treatments would continue to disproportionately affect lower and middle-income families, as well as single individuals and LGBTQ+ couples. By making coverage mandatory where obstetrical services are covered, the bill aims to reduce disparities in access to care and ensure that family-building options are available to a broader segment of the population, aligning fertility care with other essential health services.
KEY PROVISIONS
AI-extracted
high
Requires health insurance plans that cover obstetrical (pregnancy/childbirth) services to also cover fertility treatments.
This provision ensures that plans offering basic reproductive care must also support family building for those needing assistance.
high
Defines "fertility treatment" broadly to include preservation of eggs/sperm/embryos, artificial insemination, in vitro fertilization (IVF), embryo genetic testing, and fertility medications.
A comprehensive definition ensures a wide range of clinically appropriate services are covered, not just limited procedures.
high
Mandates coverage for fertility treatment even if the person receiving it has not been diagnosed with infertility, as long as a healthcare provider deems it appropriate.
This is crucial for individuals who need fertility treatment but do not meet traditional definitions of infertility, such as single individuals or LGBTQ+ couples.
med
Prohibits cost-sharing (like deductibles and co-insurance) for fertility treatments from being higher than for other medical services covered by the plan.
This prevents insurance plans from making fertility treatments financially prohibitive through disproportionate out-of-pocket costs.
med
Prohibits plans from discriminating, offering incentives to discourage treatment, or penalizing providers for offering fertility care.
These protections aim to ensure fair access to treatment and open communication between patients and providers without undue influence from insurers.
Health plans must provide notice to participants, beneficiaries, and enrollees about the required fertility treatment coverage by this date, or earlier as specified by regulation or yearly informational packets.
GLOSSARY
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Fertility treatment
Medical procedures or services designed to help individuals or couples conceive children, including preserving reproductive materials, artificial insemination, and in vitro fertilization.
Group health plan
A health plan offered by an employer or employee organization to its employees and their families.
Health insurance issuer
A health insurance company that offers group or individual health insurance policies.
Obstetrical services
Medical care and services related to pregnancy, childbirth, and the period immediately following birth.
Artificial insemination
A procedure where sperm is directly placed into a woman's reproductive tract to achieve pregnancy.
In vitro fertilization (IVF)
A complex series of procedures used to help with fertility or prevent genetic problems and assist with the conception of a child, involving fertilizing an egg with sperm outside the body.
Gamete
A reproductive cell, such as a sperm or an egg (oocyte).
ACTION TIMELINE
3 EVENTS
DEC 19, 25
Referred to the Subcommittee on Health.
COMMITTEE
JUL 23, 25
Introduced in House
INTROREFERRAL
JUL 23, 25
Referred to the Committee on Energy and Commerce, and in addition to the Committees on Ways and Means, Education and Workforce, Oversight and Government Reform, Armed Services, and Veterans' Affairs, for a period to be subsequently determined by the Speaker, in each case for consideration of such provisions as fall within the jurisdiction of the committee concerned.
