Frozen eggs in vitro. Credit: viktoriya/Adobe Stock
Several Democrats in Congress say the federal government should lead by example and provide fertility services, including in-vitro fertilization services, for its employees.
The lawmakers have introduced a bill, the Family Building FEHB Fairness Act bill, that would add benefits for IVF services and other assisted reproductive services to the main health benefits program for federal employees, the Federal Employees Health Benefits Program.
In addition to covering IVF services, an FEHB plan would have to cover services such as genetic testing of embryos and preservation of embryos.
Rep. Gerry Connolly, D-Va., is the lead sponsor in the House.
Sen. Tammy Duckworth, D-Ill, is the lead sponsor in the Senate. Duckworth says she used IVF to have her two daughters.
Rep. Eleanor Holmes Norton, D-D.C., and Rep. Debbie Wasserman Schultz, D-Fla., are cosponsoring the bill in the House. Wasserman Schultz says she used IVF to have her own son and daughter.
The lawmakers backing the House and Senate versions of the bill noted that President Donald Trump expressed support for health plans covering IVF services while he was campaigning for president and that he recently signed an executive order asking for ideas about how to expand access to IVF services.
Related: Trump calls for 'aggressively' reducing IVF costs for health plans
The new reproductive health bill "presents an opportunity for the federal government to lead by example," Connolly said in a statement about the bill.
IVF measures have been surfacing frequently in recent years.
California recently added an IVF services mandate for state-regulated health insurers, including issuers of group health insurance.
About 47% of large employers and 70% of the very largest employers were covering IVF services in 2024, according to Mercer.
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