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Senate Co-Sponsorship Memoranda
Senate of Pennsylvania
Session of 2021 - 2022
Regular Session
MEMORANDUM
| Posted: | November 19, 2021 01:58 PM |
|---|---|
| From: | Senator Amanda M. Cappelletti |
| To: | All Senate members |
| Subject: | Ensuring Insurance Coverage for Infertility for all Pennsylvanians |
| Infertility impacts a large percentage of our population, more than six million people in the United States and about one in ten couples in which the woman is of reproductive age. The experience of infertility can bring a deep sense of shame, grief, and powerlessness; it may impact all aspects of an individual’s life and a couple’s relationship. There are several forms of treatment to help individuals affected by infertility build families, including medication, surgery, intrauterine insemination, and assisted reproductive technology. However, the costs of infertility diagnosis and treatment can be extremely high, putting it out of reach for many Pennsylvanians. I will soon introduce legislation to require certain employer-sponsored insurance plans to cover infertility services. According to RESOLVE: The National Infertility Association, 19 states have passed fertility insurance coverage laws. Each of Pennsylvania’s border states has an infertility insurance coverage mandate. Data shows that costs associated with expanded access are nominal and offset when more people get covered. Massachusetts, the state with the most comprehensive mandate for infertility coverage, found that the cost of coverage was one of the lowest among its mandated benefits at $2.49 per member per year. This is a companion to legislation being introduced in the House by Representatives Malagari, O’Mara, and Innamorato. Please join us in this effort to improve Pennsylvanians’ access to family-building options. |
Introduced as SB989