U.S. Senator Cory Booker of New Jersey introduced the bicameral Access to Fertility Treatment and Care Act today, legislation that would require more health insurers to provide coverage for infertility treatment, as well as fertility preservation services for individuals who undergo medically necessary procedures that may cause infertility, such as chemotherapy.

“Everyone’s path to parenthood is different, and the decision to pursue fertility treatments is deeply personal,” Booker said in a statement.

“Nobody should have to choose between financial stability and the opportunity to have a family. On top of that, people who find themselves at the daunting intersection of a cancer diagnosis and fertility challenges should have access to affordable fertility services. This legislation would require more insurance plans to cover fertility treatments so that Americans no longer face barriers to care when deciding to start a family.”

“Millions of Americans depend on IVF to build a family—and yet, this treatment is too often out of reach for so many because of exorbitant, out-of-pocket costs,” Senator Tammy Duckworth said in a statement.

“If Donald Trump really wants to deliver on his campaign promise to ensure IVF is covered for those who rely on it, he’d call on Republicans to support our bill that would expand coverage for so many more Americans. Otherwise, all the pro-IVF talking points are just more empty promises from people who have proven time and again they have no interest in actually taking any meaningful action to protect IVF access.”

“Every day providers encounter patients who need medical treatments like IVF to build their families, but have to forego, delay, or stop treatment because they cannot afford it,” said Sean Tipton, ASRM Chief Advocacy & Policy Officer. “While ASRM has championed progress on state-level IVF mandates, we firmly believe that access to health care should not depend on your zip code.

Despite the prevalence of infertility – a reported one in six couples have challenges conceiving – coverage for treatment options is limited. In 2024, nearly half of large employers voluntarily offered fertility benefits and 97% of those offering benefits reported no significant increase in costs to their medical plans.

Specifically, the Access to Fertility Treatment and Care Act would:

• Require most private health insurance plans, as well as plans offered by the Federal Employees Health Benefits Program, Medicaid, TRICARE, ERISA, and the VA, to provide coverage for treatment of infertility without raising insurance or copayment costs.
• Ensure these plans cover fertility preservation services for individuals who undergo a medically necessary procedure that may cause infertility.

The bill is cosponsored by U.S. Senators Chuck Schumer (D-NY), Tammy Duckworth (D-IL), Chris Coons (D-DE), Amy Klobuchar (D-MN) and Patty Murray (D-WA), along with U.S. Representative Rosa DeLauro (D-CT).