HB 1158 would Provide Insurance Coverage for Fertility Treatments for Families
February 27, 2020
DENVER – Today, House Bill 1158 The Colorado Building Families Act sponsored by Senate Majority Leader Stephen Fenberg (D-Boulder) and Senator Faith Winter (D-Westminster) passed through the Senate Health and Human Services Committee on a bipartisan four to one vote. This legislation would expand access and remove economic barriers to fertility treatment by requiring health benefit plans to cover diagnosis of infertility, treatment for infertility, and fertility preservation services. According to the Centers for Disease Control one in eight Americans suffer from infertility.Both men and women are affected by infertility equally according to the National Institute of Health.
“Your income should never be a barrier to becoming a parent,” said Senator Winter. “By providing insurance coverage for fertility treatments we can increase access, remove economic obstacles, and ensure that all Coloradans can achieve their dreams of starting a family.”
Even though infertility is a disease as determined by the American Medical Association, insurance coverage for fertility care is limited. House Bill 1158 will reduce the financial strain on families while only minimally impacting insurance premiums. In other states, premiums have been increased by as little as $1.06 per month per member and in some states, costs are estimated to slightly decrease.
Colorado Fertility Advocates held a press conference at the State Capitol Building today to call on lawmakers to support this legislation.
“Starting a family should have been wonderful and joyous, but unfortunately it was painful and beyond my financial reach for many years,” said advocate Judith Hoechst. “My health insurance shut off all coverage of infertility treatment the moment I was diagnosed with infertility. House Bill 1158 is important to so many hopeful future parents, and I’m so glad this bill will move forward on behalf of Coloradans struggling to have families.”
“Cancer is a lot to swallow, and it comes with so much more baggage than anyone expects or even warns you of,” said Valeria Pernas, a cancer survivor who was forced to raise money to preserve her fertility before undergoing lifesaving treatment. “For health insurance to cover the costs of fertility preservation to lift some financial burden off of cancer patients like me is absolutely crucial for a patient’s livelihood and their quality of life during and after treatment.”
By providing insurance coverage for fertility, Colorado will join 17 other states across the nation that are increasing access to necessary healthcare treatments and standing up for hardworking families. The Colorado Building Families Act, will now head to the Senate Appropriations Committee.
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About Colorado Fertility Advocates: Colorado Fertility Advocates is a non-profit organization supporting families, advocating for fertility friendly legislation in Colorado, setting statewide industry standards, providing education and networking opportunities for fertility professionals and advocates.
