Lauren supports legislation to ensure nationwide access to fertility services like IVF is protected. Services like IVF should be affordable and covered by health plans.
Protect nationwide access to fertility services like IVF and make them affordable and covered by health plans.
Occurrences
introduced the Health Coverage for Inclusive and Valued Families (IVF) Act of 2025
Evidence
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The campaign issue page says Lauren supports legislation to ensure nationwide access to fertility services like IVF is protected, and that services like IVF should be affordable and covered by health plans.
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Congress.gov shows Rep. Underwood introduced H.R.10131 on November 15, 2024, with the official title to amend the Affordable Care Act to include fertility treatment and care as an essential health benefit. The latest action is referral to the House Committee on Energy and Commerce.
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Congress.gov shows Rep. Underwood introduced H.R.3480 on May 19, 2025, again proposing to amend the Affordable Care Act to include fertility treatment and care as an essential health benefit. The latest action is referral to the House Committee on Energy and Commerce, with the bill still listed as Introduced.
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The campaign issue page says Underwood supports legislation to ensure nationwide access to fertility services like IVF is protected, and says services like IVF should be affordable and covered by health plans.
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The House Clerk records a discharge petition for H.Res.1346 to bring up H.R.7056, a bill to prohibit limitation of access to assisted reproductive technology and surrounding medical care. Lauren Underwood is listed as signer number 19 on July 24, 2024.
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Congress.gov shows Rep. Underwood introduced H.R.10131 on November 15, 2024. The bill would amend the Affordable Care Act to add fertility treatment and care as an essential health benefit, including IVF, regardless of whether the person has an infertility diagnosis. Its latest action was referral to House Energy and Commerce, and its status remained Introduced.
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Congress.gov shows Rep. Underwood introduced H.R.3480 on May 19, 2025, to amend the ACA to include fertility treatment and care as an essential health benefit. The bill text includes IVF, at least three complete oocyte retrievals, unlimited embryo transfers from those retrievals, parity limits on cost-sharing and treatment limitations, and a prohibition on denial based on lack of infertility diagnosis. The bill was referred to House Energy and Commerce and remained at Introduced status.
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The current U.S. Code section on ACA essential health benefits lists required categories such as ambulatory patient services, emergency services, hospitalization, maternity and newborn care, mental health and substance use disorder services, prescription drugs, rehabilitative and habilitative services, laboratory services, preventive and wellness services, and pediatric services. Fertility treatment or IVF is not listed as an essential health benefit.
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The Senate roll-call page for S.4445 states the measure title was to protect and expand nationwide access to fertility treatment, including IVF. The September 17, 2024 cloture vote required three-fifths and was rejected, 51 yeas to 44 nays.
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To protect and expand nationwide access to assisted reproductive technology, including in vitro fertilization.
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essential health benefits (EHB), which include items and services in at least the following ten benefit categories
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Latest Action: House - 05/19/2025 Referred to the House Committee on Energy and Commerce.
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Coverage of fertility benefits as an EHB varies by State and issuer.
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Last Action Date Listed May 19, 2025 Action Ms. Underwood introduced the following bill; which was referred to the Committee on Energy and Commerce Bill Number H.R. 3480 Bill Version Introduced in House (IH) Short Title Health Coverage for Inclusive and Valued Families Act of 2025 Full Title To amend the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act to include fertility treatment and care as an essential health benefit.
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Abstract: This proposed rule would amend the limited excepted benefit regulations to permit employers to cover certain fertility benefits as excepted benefits consistent with Executive Order 14216, Expanding Access to In Vitro Fertilization. Agency: Department of Health and Human Services(HHS) Priority: Economically Significant RIN Status: First time published in the Unified Agenda Agenda Stage of Rulemaking: Proposed Rule Stage
Assessments
Underwood took concrete federal action toward the promise, including introducing bills to make fertility treatment and IVF an ACA essential health benefit and signing a House discharge petition on assisted reproductive technology access. But the promised outcome has not been enacted: nationwide IVF/fertility access has not been federally protected, and fertility treatment/IVF has not been added as a nationwide required health-plan benefit. Because there was a serious legislative attempt but no delivery, this is a failed promise with effort credit.
Underwood made a concrete federal legislative attempt by introducing bills in the 118th and 119th Congresses to make fertility treatment and care, including IVF, an essential health benefit under the Affordable Care Act. However, the evidence shows those bills were only introduced and referred to committee, with no enactment or nationwide coverage/access mandate delivered. Because the promised outcome was not achieved despite serious legislative effort, this should be scored as not delivered with an effort badge.