Access to fertility treatments to build a family is critically important to so many people. Unfortunately, this healthcare is often out of reach without insurance coverage.

While Rhode Island requires private insurers to cover the costs of infertility services, the state does not require the same for people on Medicaid. This gap in coverage harms those who may be least able to afford the out-of-pocket costs associated with fertility healthcare, exacerbating disparities in access particularly for Black and LGBTQ+ people.

GLAD Law submitted testimony in support of HB5771, legislation that will expand coverage for individuals enrolled in Rhode Island’s Medicaid programs by ensuring they have access to infertility diagnoses, fertility preservation services, and certain forms of fertility treatment. The bill also defines infertility to align with the standard of care articulated by the American Society of Reproductive Medicine, a definition that includes LGBTQ+ people. Additionally, HB5771 includes provisions to study and explore potential pathways for providing IVF coverage through Rhode Island’s Medicaid programs.