South Iowa News

U.S. Representative Zach Nunn (IA-03) introduced bipartisan legislation today aimed at improving access to fertility treatments, including in-vitro fertilization (IVF), for millions of Americans. The Helping to Optimize Patients’ Experience (HOPE) with Fertility Services Act, co-led by U.S. Representatives Lori Chavez-DeRemer (OR-05), Debbie Wasserman Schultz (FL-25), and Susan Wild (PA-07), seeks to mandate private health insurance plans to cover infertility treatment.

"As a father of six, I’ll never have a more important title than ‘Dad.’ It breaks my heart that some folks struggle to start their families. Infertility used to be the end of the story, but now we have tools, like IVF and other fertility treatments, to help families grow," said Rep. Nunn. "The commonsense HOPE with Fertility Services Act will ensure anyone struggling with infertility can start or expand their family."

Infertility impacts millions in the United States at some point in their lives. According to RESOLVE, a leading infertility advocacy group, nearly 700,000 women in Iowa experience infertility. Various factors such as age and health conditions can cause difficulty conceiving.

"Every year, thousands of babies are born in the United States thanks to IVF. Unfortunately, there are many more couples out there struggling with infertility who want to have children but can’t afford the procedure," stated Rep. Chavez-DeRemer. "I’m proud to officially introduce the HOPE with Fertility Services Act, which will help more Americans start or grow their families and experience one of the greatest gifts and joys in life."

In 2021 alone, 86,146 infants were born in the U.S. through IVF procedures; over 800 of these births occurred in Iowa.

"Infertility is a disease that impacts millions of Americans – and one that crosses all gender, racial, religious, or socioeconomic lines," noted Rep. Wasserman Schultz. "I personally struggled with infertility and felt the life-changing impact of IVF firsthand when it helped me become a mom for the first time."

Despite its prevalence, many insurance companies classify treatments like IVF as “elective” procedures and provide minimal coverage if any at all. A single cycle of IVF can cost between $15,000 and $30,000.

"I’ve seen firsthand the heartbreak individuals experience while dealing with infertility," said Rep. Wild. "By treating infertility like any other medical condition requiring insurance coverage for fertility treatments, the HOPE with Fertility Services Act will lower costs associated with IVF."

The proposed act aims to amend the Employee Retirement Income Security Act of 1974 (ERISA) to include minimum standards for infertility care.

Barbara Collura from RESOLVE: The National Infertility Association praised this move: "We applaud this bi-partisan legislation and urge the House of Representatives to show their support for our community by passing this pro-family legislation."

Elizabeth Ginsburg MD from the American Society for Reproductive Medicine added: "We hope their example will inspire their colleagues to move this bill quickly to final passage."

Dr. Kaylen Silverberg from Americans for IVF remarked: "This pro-family and life-affirming legislation will correct an injustice that has gone on for far too long."

Text of the bill is available here.