Duckworth Applauds Biden-Harris Administration’s Expansion of IVF Coverage for Federal Employees

September 25, 2024

Duckworth Applauds Biden-Harris Administration's Expansion of IVF Coverage for Federal Employees

For years, the Senator has led the charge to ensure IVF treatment is covered for more Americans Duckworth's Right to IVF Act, which Republicans blocked just last week, would enshrine this expansion in law

[WASHINGTON, D.C.] - Today, U.S. Senator Tammy Duckworth (D-IL)-author of the Right to IVF Actand the bipartisan Family Building FEHB Fairness Act-applauded the Biden-Harris Administration's announcement that the Federal Employee Health Benefits (FEHB) Program will, for the first time ever, offer multiple plans with comprehensive IVF coverage to the entire federal workforce and their families, no matter their zip code. The FEHB is the largest employer-sponsored group health insurance program in the world, covering more than 8 million employees, retirees, family members and others.

"I applaud the Biden-Harris Administration for taking this decisive action that I've called for to ensure all federal employees have access to IVF coverage-because everyone deserves the ability to access the fertility treatment they need to build their families, no matter where they live.

"While this is welcome news, any future President could reverse this decision-so it's critical we permanently protect and expand access to IVF nationwide and ensure no patient or doctor is criminalized simply for trying to start or grow their family. Last week, the Senate had the opportunity to do just that. But when it came time for Senate Republicans to put their votes where their mouths are and help pass my Right to IVF Act, the same Republicans claiming to 'support IVF' blocked it and made sure this expansion-and the other common sense IVF protections in the bill-would not be enshrined in federal law.

"Struggling with infertility is painful enough without the GOP's hypocrisy, and I won't stop working until every American in every state can access IVF and experience the joys of parenthood if, when and how they want to."

In April, Senator Duckworth-along with U.S. Representative Gerry Connolly (D-VA-11)-led 176 of their colleagues in urging OPM to help ensure all insurance carriers in FEHB program to cover IVF medical treatments and medications in plan year 2025.

Last week, Senator Duckworth-along with U.S. Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer (D-NY) and U.S. Senators Patty Murray (D-WA) and Cory Booker (D-NJ)-led Senate Democrats in trying to pass the Right to IVF Actfor the second time,comprehensive legislation led by Duckworth that would require all health insurers to cover IVF. This renewed effort by Senate Democrats came after Donald Trump claimed he wanted IVF to be covered and represented a second chance for Senate Republicans to actually do something that would make it easier for Americans struggling with infertility to access IVF. Despite claiming to support IVF, Senate Republicans blocked the legislation for the second time in just a few months.

Senator Duckworth's Right to IVF Act also includes the bipartisan Family Building FEHB Fairness Act, legislation the Senator has led for years that would require carriers to cover IVF and ART and would give the OPM one year to implement its requirements from the date of enactment.

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