Family Building FEHB Fairness Act
- Bill Number
- H.R. 1670
- Origin Chamber
- House
- Congress
- 119th Congress, Session 1
- Policy Area
- Health
- Status
- Introduced
- Latest Action
- 2025-09-16: ASSUMING FIRST SPONSORSHIP - Mr. Walkinshaw asked unanimous consent that he may hereafter be considered as the first sponsor of H.R. 1670, a bill originally introduced by Representative Connolly, for the purpose of adding cosponsors and requesting reprintings pursuant to clause 7 of rule XII. Agreed to without objection.
- Last Updated
- 2025-12-06T07:00:17Z
AI-Generated Summary
Purpose
The "Family Building FEHB Fairness Act" (H.R. 1670) aims to ensure that health insurance plans for federal employees cover fertility treatments. It expands access to assisted reproductive services, such as in vitro fertilization (IVF), to support family building for federal workers and their families.
Key Provisions
- Mandatory Coverage: Requires all Federal Employees Health Benefits (FEHB) plans—government-provided health insurance for federal workers—to include "fertility treatment benefits" as a standard covered service.
- Definition of Fertility Treatment: Defines the term broadly to include:
- Preservation of eggs (oocytes), sperm, or embryos for future use.
- Artificial insemination methods, such as intrauterine insemination (IUI), where sperm is placed directly into the reproductive tract.
- Assisted reproductive technologies (ART), like IVF, involving the handling of eggs, sperm, or embryos when medically appropriate.
- Genetic testing of embryos to check for health issues.
- Medications (prescription or over-the-counter) used for fertility.
- Gamete donation (providing eggs or sperm from donors).
- Other related services, such as referrals, lab tests, or technologies, as determined by the Office of Personnel Management (OPM) in coordination with the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS).
- Implementation Timeline: Changes take effect one year after the bill's enactment, giving plans time to adjust.
Significant Changes to Existing Law
- Amends Section 8904 of Title 5, U.S. Code, which governs FEHB program requirements.
- Adds fertility treatments to the list of mandatory basic benefits that all FEHB carriers must provide, similar to how they already cover preventive care or hospitalization.
- Previously, FEHB plans were not required to cover fertility services uniformly, leaving coverage optional or limited based on individual plans.
Potential Impacts
- On Government Agencies: OPM will oversee plan compliance and, with HHS, define additional fertility-related services. This may increase administrative costs for reviewing and updating FEHB contracts.
- On Citizens: Federal employees (about 2.1 million active and retired) and their dependents gain guaranteed access to fertility care, potentially reducing out-of-pocket costs for treatments that can exceed $15,000 per IVF cycle. It promotes equity in family planning but could raise premiums slightly for all enrollees.
- On International Relations: No direct impact, as this is a domestic employee benefits policy.
Main Stakeholders Affected
- Federal Employees and Families: Primary beneficiaries, especially those facing infertility, same-sex couples, or single parents seeking reproductive assistance.
- FEHB Insurance Carriers: Private insurers offering FEHB plans must incorporate these benefits, potentially altering their service offerings and costs.
- Government Entities: OPM (manages the program) and HHS (provides health expertise) will handle implementation and ongoing determinations.
- Healthcare Providers: Fertility clinics and specialists may see increased demand from federal workers.
Notable Legal, Constitutional, or Political Implications
- Legal: Strengthens federal mandates on employer-sponsored health plans under the FEHB program, aligning with broader trends in reproductive rights post-Roe v. Wade challenges. It does not override state laws but sets a national standard for federal benefits.
- Constitutional: No apparent conflicts; it expands benefits without infringing on free speech, religion, or equal protection, though it could face challenges if viewed as promoting specific reproductive choices.
- Political: Highlights bipartisan interest in family support (introduced by Democrats but addresses universal infertility issues). It may influence private-sector insurance trends and spark debates on government-funded reproductive care, potentially affecting future legislation on healthcare equity.
This summary was generated by AI and may contain inaccuracies. Refer to the official source document for the authoritative text.
Sponsor
Rep. Connolly, Gerald E. [D-VA-11]
Cosponsors (3)
Del. Norton, Eleanor Holmes [D-DC-At Large], Rep. Wasserman Schultz, Debbie [D-FL-25], Rep. McClellan, Jennifer L. [D-VA-4]
Recent Actions
- 2025-09-16: ASSUMING FIRST SPONSORSHIP - Mr. Walkinshaw asked unanimous consent that he may hereafter be considered as the first sponsor of H.R. 1670, a bill originally introduced by Representative Connolly, for the purpose of adding cosponsors and requesting reprintings pursuant to clause 7 of rule XII. Agreed to without objection.
- 2025-02-27: Referred to the House Committee on Oversight and Government Reform.
- 2025-02-27: Introduced in House
- 2025-02-27: Introduced in House
Bill Versions
- Family Building FEHB Fairness Act — issued 2025-02-27 — PDF (3 pages)