A Democratic bill with 6 Democratic cosponsors · See all 6 cosponsors
Last activity — Read twice and referred to the Committee on Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions.
In committee
Introduced and handed to a committee in the chamber it started in.
The committee holds it, and most bills are never heard from again. A hearing or a committee vote would be news; silence is the usual outcome, and it kills the bill without anyone voting against it.
Its path through Congress
- Introduced
- In Committee
What this bill would do
The "Access to Fertility Treatment and Care Act" aims to ensure coverage for fertility treatment under various health insurance plans. It amends the Public Health Service Act, the Employee Retirement Income Security Act, and the Internal Revenue Code to require group health plans and health insurance issuers to provide coverage for fertility treatment if they cover obstetrical services. The bill also extends fertility treatment coverage to federal employees, veterans, and those covered by TRICARE and Medicaid. It defines fertility treatment to include procedures like oocyte preservation, artificial insemination, in vitro fertilization, genetic testing of embryos, and gamete donation. The bill includes provisions related to cost-sharing limitations, prohibitions on incentives against seeking fertility treatment, and notice requirements for beneficiaries.
Yes· 3 of 29
- Scored +8
Would women be better off under this?
The bill directly benefits women by improving access to fertility treatments and reproductive care.
- Scored +7
Would households on low incomes be better off under this?
The bill ensures Medicaid covers fertility treatments, making it accessible for low-income households.
- Scored +7
Would veterans be better off under this, taking everything together?
The bill provides comprehensive fertility benefits for veterans and their spouses or partners.
The opposite· 3 of 5
- Scored -2
Does this lower what people pay for private health insurance?
Requiring coverage for fertility treatment could potentially increase private insurance premiums.
- Scored -2
Does this reduce what the federal government owes?
The increased healthcare costs associated with mandated fertility treatment coverage could slightly increase the national debt.
- Scored -1
Would business owners be better off under this?
Business owners could see increased healthcare costs due to mandated coverage.
Who it would affect, and how
Potential Positive Impacts for People
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Expanded Access to Fertility Treatment (Sections 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7): Requires health insurance plans, including those for federal employees, veterans, TRICARE beneficiaries, and Medicaid recipients, to cover fertility treatment if they cover obstetrical services. This can help individuals and couples who may not have been able to afford it otherwise.
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Comprehensive Definition of Fertility Treatment (Sections 2(a), 3(a), 4(d), 5(b)): Defines fertility treatment broadly to include preservation of eggs/sperm/embryos, artificial insemination, assisted reproductive technology, genetic testing of embryos, medications, gamete donation, and other related services. This comprehensive approach ensures that various aspects of fertility care are potentially covered.
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Cost-Sharing Limitations (Section 2(a)): Limits cost-sharing for fertility treatment to the extent that it does not exceed the cost-sharing applied to other medical services under the health plan. This could make fertility treatment more affordable.
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Protections Against Discouragement of Treatment (Section 2(a)): Prohibits health plans from providing incentives to discourage participants from seeking fertility treatment and from penalizing providers for offering such treatment. This safeguards access to necessary care without external pressures.
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Notice to Beneficiaries (Section 2(a)): Requires health plans to provide notice to participants and beneficiaries regarding the coverage for fertility treatment. This ensures that individuals are aware of their benefits and can make informed decisions.
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Medicare Coverage for Fertility Treatment (Section 7): Amends Section 1861 of the Social Security Act to include fertility treatment as a covered service under Medicare. This expands access to fertility care for Medicare beneficiaries.
Potential Negative Impacts for People
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Increased Premiums: Requiring coverage for fertility treatments might lead to increased health insurance premiums for everyone, even those who do not need or want such treatments. The bill does not mention any provisions to offset such premium increases.
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Collective Bargaining Exception Delay (Section 2(c)(2)): For group health plans maintained under collective bargaining agreements ratified before the enactment of the Act, the changes might not apply until the agreements terminate or six months after enactment, potentially delaying access to fertility treatment for some individuals.
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State Legislation Requirement Delay (Section 6(c)(2)): States requiring legislation to comply with the Medicaid provisions may delay implementation, affecting access to fertility treatment for Medicaid recipients in those states.
Groups and Interests Ranking
Every group the model scored this bill for, from -10 to +10. Tap or hover a score for the reason it gave.
- Demographic And Interest Groups
- Would women be better off under this? — The bill directly benefits women by improving access to fertility treatments and reproductive care. Would households on low incomes be better off under this? — The bill ensures Medicaid covers fertility treatments, making it accessible for low-income households. Would veterans be better off under this, taking everything together? — The bill provides comprehensive fertility benefits for veterans and their spouses or partners. Would middle-income households be better off under this? — The bill mandates coverage in employer-sponsored plans, benefiting middle-class families. Would people in their twenties and thirties be better off under this? — The bill significantly helps young adults who may be starting families and need fertility assistance. Would LGBTQ people be better off under this? — The bill helps LGBTQ+ individuals who may need fertility treatments to start families. Would men be better off under this? — The bill provides benefits to men by expanding coverage for fertility treatments, including sperm preservation and other related services. Would people in middle age be better off under this? — The bill helps middle-aged individuals who may be experiencing fertility issues. Would Black Americans be better off under this? — Increased access to fertility treatment could address disparities in reproductive health within this community. Would Asian Americans be better off under this? — Increased access to fertility treatment could address disparities in reproductive health within this community. Would Hispanic Americans be better off under this? — Increased access to fertility treatment could address disparities in reproductive health within this community. Would Native Americans be better off under this? — Increased access to fertility treatment could address disparities in reproductive health within this community. Would white Americans be better off under this? — The bill provides enhanced coverage for fertility treatments. Would high-income households be better off under this? — High-income households will also benefit from standardized coverage, although they may be less reliant on it. Would retired people be better off under this? — The bill helps retirees by extending Medicare coverage for fertility treatments. Would people in rural areas be better off under this? — The bill mainly affects insured people, regardless of location. Would people in cities be better off under this? — The bill mainly affects insured people, regardless of location. Would people with substantial wealth be better off under this? — The bill offers more comprehensive coverage options, but is unlikely to affect those with significant financial resources. Would people over 65 be better off under this? — The bill extends Medicare coverage for fertility treatment. Would union members be better off under this? — The bill might delay implementation for union health plans. Would business owners be better off under this? — Business owners could see increased healthcare costs due to mandated coverage.
- Healthcare
- Does this make health care easier to get in general? — The bill expands healthcare access by mandating coverage for fertility treatments. Does this help veterans get medical care? — The bill requires fertility treatment for veterans and their spouses or partners. Does this put more money into Medicaid, the health coverage for people on low incomes? — The bill mandates Medicaid coverage for fertility treatment which could lead to increased funding requirements. Does this put more money into Medicare, the health coverage for people over 65? — The bill adds fertility treatment to Medicare coverage which could lead to increased funding requirements. Does this strengthen the Affordable Care Act? — The bill aligns with the ACA's goal of expanding healthcare access by requiring fertility treatment coverage. Does this lower what people pay for private health insurance? — Requiring coverage for fertility treatment could potentially increase private insurance premiums.
- Governance And Ideology
- Does this give the federal government more power? — The bill increases federal power by mandating healthcare benefits standards for states. Does this make what the government does easier for the public to see? — The bill requires health plans to provide notice to participants regarding fertility treatment coverage.
- National Security And Foreign Policy
- Does this increase the pay, pensions or support veterans receive? — The bill provides fertility treatment benefits to veterans.
- Economy And Finance
- Does this give people more protection from unfair business practices? — The bill protects consumers by preventing insurers from discouraging fertility treatment through incentives or provider penalties. Does this reduce what the federal government owes? — The increased healthcare costs associated with mandated fertility treatment coverage could slightly increase the national debt. Does this make the government pay for what it commits to? — Mandating coverage for fertility treatments may create increased costs for government-funded healthcare programs. Does this reduce what the federal government spends? — Increased demand for fertility treatments may lead to slightly higher government spending on healthcare programs.
- 7/28/2025
- 6 Cosponsors added.
- 7/23/2025
- Read twice and referred to the Committee on Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions.
- Introduced in Senate
One bill Congress.gov lists as related to this one — companions in the other chamber, earlier versions, and bills this one absorbed or was folded into.
Christopher CoonsDemocrat · Delaware
Tammy DuckworthDemocrat · Illinois
Amy KlobucharDemocrat · Minnesota
Patty MurrayDemocrat · Washington
Charles SchumerDemocrat · New York
Peter WelchDemocrat · Vermont