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County requires insurers contracted to cover IVF and egg freezing as optional plans for employees
Summary
The County Council enacted CB 007-2025 to require that health insurers contracting with Prince George's County offer plans that include in vitro fertilization and egg freezing coverage as part of county employee benefits; the measure passed unanimously (10-0).
Prince George's County Council members voted 10-0 to enact CB 007-2025, a bill that requires health insurers contracted to offer county employee plans to include plan options that provide coverage for in vitro fertilization (IVF) and egg freezing.
The sponsor, Council Member Fisher, explained the legislation was motivated in part by her personal experience and by conversations with county employees who said current plans do not adequately cover fertility preservation or treatments unless the member faced serious medical conditions such as cancer. "Paying for egg storage every single month is like another rent for women," Fisher said, urging colleagues to approve coverage that she said will help young employees form families while working in county service.
Why it matters: Supporters said the change will make the county a more competitive employer for younger workers and for women who delay childbearing for career reasons; the Office of Human Resources Management and the county executive's office reviewed the bill and worked with the sponsor on language and plan implementation.
Details and next steps: The bill does not itself mandate that the county pay the full cost of IVF or storage; it requires contracted insurers to offer plans that include those benefits. Council Member Fisher acknowledged employees will still pay some costs but said the measure should reduce long-term expense and expand access.
The motion to enact was moved by Council Member Fisher and seconded by Council Member Harrison; the roll-call vote recorded ten ayes.
Sources: Sponsor remarks in council floor debate and the roll-call vote recorded in the council meeting minutes.
