Senate GOP blocks bill to expand IVF access as advocates call for better FEHB coverage
Senate GOP blocks bill to expand IVF access as advocates call for better FEHB coverage  
Podcast: Federal Drive with Tom Temin
Published On: Fri Jun 14 2024
Description: For federal employees, a bill pending in the Senate would bring expanded coverage of fertility treatments through the Federal Employees Health Benefits (FEHB) program. But the Right to IVF Act, which Sens. Tammy Duckworth (D-Ill.), Patty Murray (D-Wash.) and Cory Booker (D-N.J.) introduced last week, did not garner the 60 votes needed to move forward with a floor vote Thursday afternoon. Almost all Republicans voted against the measure to advance the legislation, resulting in a 48-47 tally. The legislation rolls together three previous bills all aiming to improve access and insurance coverage for in-vitro fertilization (IVF). In part, the bill would have impacts specifically on FEHB enrollees. One component of the Right to IVF Act aims to set higher requirements for FEHB carriers to offer IVF coverage. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices