Senator Tim Kaine backs bill to expand IVF, reproductive coverage for federal employees

WASHINGTON D.C. (WSET) — Senator Tim Kaine (D-Virginia) announced Friday his cosponsorship of the Family Building FEHB Fairness Act, which would expand and protect access to in-vitro fertilization (IVF) and other types of assisted reproductive technology (ART) for millions of Americans.

This legislation would require that insurance providers in the Federal Employees Health Benefits (FEHB) Program—which covers more than 8 million federal employees, retirees, and their dependents and is the largest employer-run health insurance program in the U.S.—provide coverage of IVF and ART for enrollees.

Amid state restrictions on reproductive health care, we must take steps to protect Americans’ freedom to decide whether, when, and how to start or build their families without government interference,” Sen. Kaine said. “That includes expanding access to the miracle that is IVF and other assisted reproductive technology. The Family Building FEHB Fairness Act can help us do that, by requiring the largest employer-run health insurance program in America to cover these services."

Kaine previously wrote to the Office of Personnel Management (OPM), urging the agency to require FEHB providers to cover ART services and treatments.