Committee hears competing testimony on bill to require fertility coverage for state and employer plans

The House Health Care & Wellness Committee heard Jan. 21 on House Bill 1129, legislation that would require large and small group health plans — and, to specified extents, Medicaid and state employee plans — to cover fertility preservation services and, beginning in 2027, diagnosis and treatment for infertility consistent with professional guidelines.

Committee staff summarized the bill’s requirements. "Standard fertility preservation services are the procedures that are consistent with established practices or professional guidelines published by the American Society of Reproductive Medicine or the American Society of Clinical Oncology," Kim Weidner told the committee, adding that the bill would require coverage of two oocyte retrievals with unlimited embryo transfers in accordance with ASRM guidelines for plans issued or renewed on or after Jan. 1, 2027.

Supporters included patients, clinicians and…