Springfield, IL – Today, State Representative Margaret Croke’s legislation to increase insurance coverage of In Vitro Fertilization (IVF) treatments passed out of the House Insurance Committee with bipartisan support. The bill removes the current limitation, which only requires insurance to cover four rounds of IVF treatments.
“While IVF is currently under attack in states like Alabama, here in Illinois, we want to make it as easy as possible for those who are looking to start or grow their families. Since I first became a State Representative, I’ve been committed to passing legislation to increase access to reproductive care,” says State Representative Margaret Croke. “Fertility treatment can be extremely expensive if someone is forced to pay out of pocket, and that’s why I’m fighting to remove the cap on the number of rounds of IVF covered by insurance. The current four-round limit is arbitrary and not based in science, and I’m proud to see this legislation move out of committee today.”
Currently, insurance companies in Illinois are only required to cover four rounds of IVF, but for many families it can take at least six rounds of IVF to result in a successful pregnancy and birth. This legislation would ensure that families receive coverage for the fertility treatments they need to start or grow a family. A single round of IVF can cost between $15,000 and $30,000 out of pocket, putting the dream of welcoming a child financially out of reach for many.
Since taking office in 2021, Rep. Croke has been a champion of legislation increasing access to reproductive and fertility care. Her first year in office, Rep. Croke passed HB3709, legislation that expanded insurance coverage of fertility treatments to same-sex couples, women over 35, single women, women who cannot get pregnant naturally due to a medical issue, and others, ensuring that all Illinoisans have equal access to the insurance coverage needed to start a family.
Additional information about HB4112 can be found at ILGA.gov.
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