# Plain Language Summary: Access to Family Building Act

This bill makes it easier and more affordable for people to have children through fertility treatments and adoption by requiring health insurance plans to cover these services. Specifically, it requires most health insurance plans to cover fertility treatments like in vitro fertilization (IVF), fertility drugs, and other assisted reproductive technologies. It also requires coverage for adoption-related expenses, including legal fees, home studies, and travel costs. The bill applies to health plans offered through employers, the individual insurance market, and certain government programs.

The practical effect is that people who struggle with infertility or who want to adopt won't have to pay thousands of dollars out of pocket for these services. For example, a single round of IVF can cost $12,000 to $15,000 without insurance, and adoption can easily run $20,000 to $40,000 or more. By requiring insurance to cover these costs, the bill makes family building accessible to more people, particularly those with lower incomes who couldn't otherwise afford these options. This could especially help same-sex couples, single parents, and people dealing with medical infertility issues.

The bill does include some limitations—it doesn't require coverage for surrogacy arrangements, and insurance companies can still apply reasonable limits on the number of treatment cycles covered. Additionally, some religious employers and certain small businesses may be exempt from these requirements, similar to existing healthcare law exceptions. Overall, this legislation aims to remove financial barriers that prevent many Americans from building families through fertility treatment or adoption.

Access to Family Building Act

Duckworth, Tammy

Access to Family Building Act This bill provides a statutory right to access assisted reproductive technology (e.g., in vitro fertilization). Specifically, under the bill, individuals have the right to access assisted reproductive technology, and to retain all rights with respect to the use or disposition of reproductive genetic materials (e.g., eggs or sperm), without prohibitions or unreasonable restrictions. Health care providers and insurers also have the right to provide and cover these services, respectively. The bill does not affect state or local health and safety regulations that achieve their purpose in the least restrictive manner possible. The Department of Justice may bring civil actions against states, localities, or government officials or entities that enact or enforce limitations or requirements that violate this bill. Individuals and health care providers who are affected by violations may also bring civil actions for relief.