EQCA - Equality California

09/29/2024 | Press release | Distributed by Public on 09/29/2024 16:50

Equality California on Governor Newsom Signing SB 729, Expanding Access to Infertility Care Including IVF

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
September 29, 2024

CONTACT: Jorge Reyes Salinas, Equality California
PHONE: (213) 355-3057/MOBILE: (213) 355-3057/EMAIL:[email protected]

SACRAMENTO, Calif. - Equality California released the following statement from Executive Director Tony Hoang following the news that Governor Gavin Newsom signed SB 729, authored by Senator Caroline Menjivar, which will require large group insurance plans to cover fertility and infertility treatments - including IVF - as well as expand the definition of infertility to be inclusive of LGBTQ+ family planning experiences:

"With increasing attacks on reproductive freedom and IVF across the country, we are immensely grateful to Governor Newsom for once again demonstrating that California is committed to ensuring that all people have the freedom to make personal decisions about their reproductive lives and futures. With Governor Newsom's signature, an estimated 10 million Californians will now have access to the full spectrum of fertility and infertility services, including IVF, and be given the opportunity to become a parent regardless of sexual orientation or relationship status.

This tremendous achievement would not have been possible without the leadership of Senator Menjivar, and we extend our enormous gratitude to her for never backing down in the fight for equitable access to reproductive health care for LGBTQ+ and all Californians."

IVF, in particular, has become a key issue in the current election cycle following an Alabama Supreme Court decision earlier this year that endangered access to the treatment. On September 17, Republicans in the United States Senate blocked a bill that would have provided a nationwide right to IVF treatments. California joins 14 states and D.C. that require insurance companies to cover infertility treatments supporting family-building equity and removing financial barriers for families.

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Equality California is the nation's largest statewide LGBTQ civil rights organization. We bring the voices of LGBTQ people and allies to institutions of power in California and across the United States, striving to create a world that is healthy, just, and fully equal for all LGBTQ people. We advance civil rights and social justice by inspiring, advocating and mobilizing through an inclusive movement that works tirelessly on behalf of those we serve. www.eqca.org