IVF treatments could be covered by health insurance if this legislation is passed

Bipartisan legislation that would require infertility treatments, like in vitro fertilization, to be covered by private insurance has the support of Staten Island’s congresswoman.

Rep. Nicole Malliotakis is co-sponsoring the Helping to Optimize Patients’ Experience (H.O.P.E.) with Fertility Services Act, alongside Reps. Lori Chavez-Deremer, Zach Nunn, Susan Wild, and Debbie Wasserman Schultz, of Oregon, Iowa, Pennsylvania and Florida, respectively.

The measure would ensure infertility care is treated just as any other disease.

“So many loving couples want to start a family but struggle with infertility,” said Malliotakis in a statement. “With soaring out-of-pocket costs for in vitro treatment and other fertility care, Americans are oftentimes prevented from being able to have children.

“Even for Americans with health insurance plans that provide some coverage, this critical treatment can be cost-prohibitive. This legislation would expand coverage and provide access to fertility treatments for millions of Americans who dream of expanding their family but have faced difficulties due to disease, ailment or unexplained infertility.”

The H.O.P.E. with Fertility Services Act would amend the Employee Retirement Income Security Act, 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;

• Iatrogenic infertility, or infertility or anticipated infertility due to a course of treatment for another ailment such as cancer, which could require egg preservation because certain treatments like chemotherapy have proven to destroy eggs.

Malliotakis was praised for her support by Dr. Jacqueline Guterman, of Americans for IVF.

“By cosponsoring the H.O.P.E. with Fertility Services Act, Congresswoman Malliotakis has shown in action, not just talk, that she truly cares about the working people of Staten Island,” said Guterman.