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House committee holds bill to require insurer coverage for fertility preservation for cancer patients
Summary
The House Health & Welfare Committee heard testimony on H 818, a bill by Rep. Brooke Green to require insurers to cover fertility preservation for patients undergoing cancer treatment. Medical experts and patients supported the bill; an insurer testified neutrally about fiscal and coverage implications. The committee voted to hold the bill for interim revision.
Rep. Brooke Green (R.-Dist. 18) introduced H 818 on March 16, 2026, saying the bill "protects future reproductive health for Idahoans undergoing cancer treatment by removing the insurance elective status for fertility preservation services." She told the committee patients face immediate, life-altering decisions after a diagnosis about whether to preserve eggs, sperm or embryos.
Dr. Rhiana Menen, a surgeon, told members she has observed a "decreasing age of breast cancer patients and the critical decisions they face which may shatter their dreams of having a family." Dr. Cristen Slater, an endocrinologist, described the practical costs and procedures involved, including the expense of gathering and storing sperm and embryos and that "patients complete annual renewal forms and can choose if they want to continue storage. Philanthropic cost assistance remains available." Several people with lived experience spoke in support, saying diagnoses at young ages force urgent choices about fertility.
Norm Varin, testifying on behalf of Pacific Source Health Plans, characterized the fiscal note as saying the coverage would be treated as a "benefit defrayal, as specified in the Affordable Care Act," and told the committee that usage would likely expand with the coverage change. He also stated the bill "does not impact self-funded plans." Rep. Green told the committee the measure is intended as an incremental step toward addressing other fertility-impacting illnesses or treatments and said "a minimal premium increase is expected." She said the bill "will be held and improved upon during the interim."
After questions from committee members, Rep. Rubel moved to hold H 818 in committee. The motion carried by voice vote; no roll-call tally was recorded in the minutes. The committee took no further action on final adoption and adjourned at 10:00 a.m.
Clarifying details recorded in committee minutes indicate the bill would shift insurer coverage from elective to required for fertility preservation related to cancer treatment, that philanthropic assistance for storage remains available, and that sponsors anticipate a small premium impact. The committee did not advance the bill; sponsors intend to revise it during the interim.
