New Jersey state Assemblyman Avi Schnall (D-Lakewood) has introduced new legislation (A5383) to provide financial relief to couples struggling with infertility by requiring Medicaid to cover the cost of ovulation-enhancing drugs and related medical services. The bill, modeled after a successful program in New York, aims to remove the financial barriers that prevent many aspiring parents from starting a family.
Under current Medicaid rules, the necessary medical monitoring, including office visits, pelvic ultrasounds, hysterosalpingograms, and blood tests, is not covered—forcing many families to pay tens of thousands of dollars out of pocket just for the opportunity to conceive. This legislation would close that gap and ensure that infertility treatments are accessible to those who need them.
“The pain of infertility is devastating, but what makes it even worse is that for many couples, the only thing standing between them and their dream of parenthood is money,” said Assemblyman Schnall. “This is not about luxury or convenience. This is about giving couples a fair shot at starting a family without being financially crushed in the process.”
Infertility affects millions of couples nationwide, and many who qualify for Medicaid are left without options simply because they cannot afford the necessary monitoring. The legislation defines infertility as the inability to conceive after 12 months for individuals 21-34 years old, or after six months for individuals 35-44 years old.
“For so many women, becoming pregnant isn’t a question of medical possibility—it’s a question of affordability,” Schnall stressed.
New York’s Medicaid program already covers these infertility treatments, helping countless couples achieve pregnancy without plunging into debt. Implementing a similar program in New Jersey will give thousands of families the chance to conceive without sacrificing their financial security.
“We have the medical technology. We have the treatments. The only thing left is the will to make them accessible,” Schnall said. “If we truly value family, then we must take action to support those who are struggling to start one.”
Thank you Avi for being a top notch representative of the community.
Thank you AVi,
For all those that said he’s here for the establishment, here you go…. Stop with the hate.
Thank you,
Wonderful idea, but who is paying for it? It seems that all of R’ Schnall’s ideas keep on burdening the middle class taxpayer.
How is this groundbreaking, if NY already has this, and Trump proposed this?
And yes he’s here for the establishment, as soon as this is approved, look for Chemed to begin offering these services. But yes, some couples will be helped, so thank you Avi.
I am sad that my representative is advocating for my tax dollars to assist those who cannot afford to care for themselves sans governmental assistance to have babies that would, in all likelihood, also depend on governmental assistance.
I was thinking the same thing. Thank you for this comment.
Amen
Thank you Mr. Schnall. Can we ask that you try to push NJ to have more that 6 weeks mandatory maternity leave. They extended family leave but bosses have to sign off on that. Usa is the only country with such strict rules it’s unheard of anywhere else! Maybe @the lakewood scoop can pass those on….
Maybe the tax payers should fund people until said child becomes a grandparent themselves. That’s why the rest of the world has a wait list for abortions. Because everything is covered indefinitely. It’s insane and unrealistic. BTW, after a c-section or other traumatic situations, as long as it’s medically needed one can get longer.
2 weeks longer. It’s really inhuman.
OK. Will you foot the bill for life long stay at home? I’d like longer for other health related issues as well. However, we can’t force it on the tax payers. I also can’t afford what I already pay into these funds.
what will bonei olam do???
Do you honestly think there will full approval? Do you realize how much it costs per IVF cycle? How about how many cycles it can take for a successful, full term pregnancy? It’s generally over 25k per cycle, many take multiple tries. So 100k per couple, do you think insurances will cover? Bonei Olam and A Time will still be busy.
All this fertility coverage is just perpetuating woke agenda by allowing lgbtq access to free reproductive care…
Thank you Rabbi Schnall but the main cost is IVF treatment. Can there please be coverage for that? It’s impossible, degrading and exhausting, every time begging ppl for money…
Where are my tuition vouchers?