The following is a statement from Steven J. Fleischman, MD, MBA, FACOG, president of the American College of Obstetricians & Gynecologists (ACOG):
“Comprehensive, scientifically sound fertility treatment—including in vitro fertilization, or IVF—should be available to everyone seeking to start or grow their family. IVF is one of the great medical innovations of the last century, having helped countless families around the world and providing hope to so many people looking forward to becoming parents. Unfortunately, inequitable and inconsistent insurance coverage of IVF has left this critical care out of reach financially for many families.
“To help more of our patients access the fertility treatment that they and their families need, employer-sponsored insurance plans must be affordable and universally available. ACOG urges the White House to take actionable steps to help more people be able to grow their families through IVF, including changing essential health benefits to include insurance coverage for IVF and encouraging states to amend their health plans. Lowering the overall cost of fertility treatment by addressing the high costs of drugs associated with treatment will further bring care in reach for more of our patients.
“As an ob-gyn, I see every day the emotional, physical and financial hurdles my patients face when they experience family-building challenges, including infertility. We are pleased that the president is supporting patients and encourage the administration to work side by side with doctors to effect meaningful changes to make access to IVF a reality for more families.”
The Access to Fertility Treatment and Care Act (S. 2386/H.R. 4731), sponsored by Senators Cory Booker, Tammy Duckworth, Patty Murray, and Chuck Schumer and Representative Rosa DeLauro, would require more health insurers to cover comprehensive fertility treatment and medically necessary fertility preservation services. ACOG was proud to sponsor this important bill and encourages the president to join us by endorsing the actionable approaches the bill would effect to increase access to and affordability of needed fertility care.
