Gavin Newsom Takes a Swipe at the GOP by Signing Law Mandating IVF Coverage
The California law follows two unsuccessful attempts by Congress this year to enact national legislation ensuring access to IVF.
TroibNews 
SACRAMENTO, California — California will mandate that insurance companies provide fertility coverage, which will make treatments such as IVF available to millions more individuals.
On Sunday, Gov. Gavin Newsom signed a new law that not only broadens access to fertility treatments for same-sex couples but also eliminates the requirement for patients to have been attempting to conceive for a year “naturally” before qualifying. This change has garnered support from notable figures in the LGBTQ+ community, including the CEO of Grindr.
“As Republicans across the country continue to claw back rights and block access to IVF — all while calling themselves ‘the party of families’ — we are proud to help every Californian make their own choices about the family they want," Newsom said in a statement.
This legislation follows two unsuccessful attempts in Congress this year to enact national protections for IVF access and has emerged as a key issue on the campaign trail ahead of the elections. The growing focus on this issue has increased pressure on Democratic-led states like California to enhance access, with approximately fifteen other states having similar IVF coverage mandates.
The law will cover only individuals with private insurance that the state regulates, allowing for exceptions for religiously-affiliated employers and postponing implementation for state employees to manage costs.
Once the law is fully implemented, around 9 million people will be eligible for IVF, whereas only about a third of these individuals currently have coverage for the treatment. Many are expected to experience a decrease in out-of-pocket expenses associated with fertility treatments.
According to a report from the California Health Benefits Review Program, the new law is projected to increase premiums by over $182 million in the first year and $329 million in the second year after implementation. This translates to an increase of less than $4 in premiums for most individuals.
In its first year, premiums for the CalPERS public pension plan are expected to rise by $32 million, with a subsequent increase of $49 million in the following year, with the state, as the employer, covering over half of these expenses.
Mathilde Moreau for TROIB News
On Sunday, Gov. Gavin Newsom signed a new law that not only broadens access to fertility treatments for same-sex couples but also eliminates the requirement for patients to have been attempting to conceive for a year “naturally” before qualifying. This change has garnered support from notable figures in the LGBTQ+ community, including the CEO of Grindr.
“As Republicans across the country continue to claw back rights and block access to IVF — all while calling themselves ‘the party of families’ — we are proud to help every Californian make their own choices about the family they want," Newsom said in a statement.
This legislation follows two unsuccessful attempts in Congress this year to enact national protections for IVF access and has emerged as a key issue on the campaign trail ahead of the elections. The growing focus on this issue has increased pressure on Democratic-led states like California to enhance access, with approximately fifteen other states having similar IVF coverage mandates.
The law will cover only individuals with private insurance that the state regulates, allowing for exceptions for religiously-affiliated employers and postponing implementation for state employees to manage costs.
Once the law is fully implemented, around 9 million people will be eligible for IVF, whereas only about a third of these individuals currently have coverage for the treatment. Many are expected to experience a decrease in out-of-pocket expenses associated with fertility treatments.
According to a report from the California Health Benefits Review Program, the new law is projected to increase premiums by over $182 million in the first year and $329 million in the second year after implementation. This translates to an increase of less than $4 in premiums for most individuals.
In its first year, premiums for the CalPERS public pension plan are expected to rise by $32 million, with a subsequent increase of $49 million in the following year, with the state, as the employer, covering over half of these expenses.
Mathilde Moreau for TROIB News
