In an attempt to join neighboring states throughout the country, one Missouri politician is attempting to pass a bill that would require insurance companies in the state to cover IVF treatments for women and couples battling infertility.
In a release Wednesday, State Representative LaDonna Appelbaum says she wants Missouri to join the other 23 states in the U.S. that have similar laws in effect. That includes states like Arkansas, Colorado, Illinois, and others.
The proposal states that infertility would be named as a disease, condition, or status due to the person’s inability to “achieve a successful pregnancy based on a patient’s medical, sexual, and reproductive history, age, physical findings, diagnostic testing, or any combination thereof.”
Appelbaum says that while it may be tough to get the legislation passed, she has heard support from both the Missouri House and Senate from across the aisles, with both Republicans and Democrats backing the cause.
She said Wednesday, “There are so many people that know someone that has had to go through IVF treatment, whether it was successful or not, that want to have kids. It doesn’t make you a Republican, Democrat, or Independent if you want to have a baby. And so many of my friends from both sides of the aisle have gone through the treatment, and it was successful.”
Click here to see the proposed legislation.
