BELMAR, NJ — Assemblyman Avi Schnall (D-30) has introduced legislation aimed at making infertility treatments more accessible by requiring Medicaid to cover the cost of ovulation-enhancing medications and associated medical services. The proposed bill, A5383, is modeled after a similar successful program in New York, and aims to alleviate the financial burden that often prevents couples from seeking essential fertility treatments.
Under the current Medicaid system, many necessary services—such as office visits, pelvic ultrasounds, hysterosalpingograms, and blood tests—are not covered, leaving families with the daunting task of covering tens of thousands of dollars in medical costs. This legislation seeks to address these financial gaps.
“The emotional toll of infertility is already devastating, and for many couples, the biggest obstacle to parenthood is financial,” Schnall said. “This bill is not about luxury. It’s about giving couples the chance to start a family without facing financial ruin.”
Infertility affects millions of couples across the United States, with Medicaid recipients often facing greater hurdles due to the prohibitive cost of treatment. According to the bill, infertility is defined as the inability to conceive after 12 months for individuals aged 21 to 34, or after six months for individuals aged 35 to 44.
“For many women, the ability to get pregnant isn’t an issue of medical possibility—it’s about affordability,” Schnall emphasized.
Supporters of the bill point to New York’s Medicaid program, which has provided fertility treatments to many couples without the risk of financial debt. Schnall believes that by adopting this model in New Jersey, thousands of families will have the opportunity to conceive while maintaining their financial well-being.
“We have the medical technology and the treatments. What’s missing is the political will to make them accessible,” Schnall added. “If we truly value families, then we need to ensure those who are struggling to start one are supported.”
The bill is expected to spark significant discussion among state lawmakers and healthcare advocates as it progresses through the legislative process. Supporters argue that extending Medicaid coverage for infertility treatments is not just a financial issue, but one of fairness and family values.
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