LANSING, Mich. (April 23, 2026) — In recognition of National Infertility Awareness Week, Michigan legislators and fertility care and family building advocates are promoting awareness of infertility, the lack of coverage for common fertility treatments like in vitro fertilization (IVF) and intrauterine insemination (IUI), and continued legislative efforts to make fertility treatments more accessible for Michiganders who want to start or grow families. Sen. Stephanie Chang (D-Detroit), Rep. Samantha Steckloff (D-Farmington Hills), and fertility care advocates introduced bicameral legislation that would help more Michiganders start their families by requiring insurance coverage of fertility treatments.
“Michiganders facing infertility, including cancer survivors and those with other medical conditions that make pregnancy impossible without treatment, are being blocked from starting or growing their families because insurance does not cover fertility treatments like IVF,” said Sen. Chang. “For many, that makes care out of reach or forces them into significant debt. By requiring Michigan health insurers to cover standard-of-care fertility treatments, we can give more people a fair chance to build their families here in our state. I’m proud to partner with Samantha Steckloff and advocates across Michigan to move this critical issue forward.”
One in six Michiganders are affected by infertility. Roughly 20,000 to 35,000 Michiganders aged 25-45 may ultimately require the fertility treatment of IVF to have children, but they lack insurance coverage for fertility diagnosis and treatment. The out-of-pocket cost of IVF is $12,000 to $16,000, on average, per cycle in Michigan — and some patients require more than one cycle to achieve pregnancy. In comparison to other medical treatments, like knee surgery or a c-section, the cost of fertility care is lower.
Michigan’s household median yearly income is $66,986, forcing more than half of patients who need the fertility treatment of IVF to use credit cards to finance their treatment and take on substantial debt — while others simply forgo having children because they cannot overcome the financial barrier due to lack of insurance coverage. We don’t treat any other critical medical condition this way.
“For hardworking Michiganders, there are extreme economic disparities in access to fertility treatment — it is treated as an elective luxury instead of essential medical care. These barriers should not exist when it comes to starting a family,” said Rep. Steckloff. “I’m proud to introduce this legislation to require insurance to cover IVF and fertility treatments. This is an important step in providing the care that many of our residents need to begin or grow their family.”
“Thousands of hopeful Michigan families who need fertility treatments can’t access them because their insurance doesn’t cover it,” said Stephanie Jones, President of Michigan Fertility Alliance Advocates. “They are forced to delay or give up on their dream of a family — or take out second mortgages, use retirement savings, host bake sales, or borrow from friends and family just to try. These are responsible, hardworking, often dual-income households doing everything right — and still being priced out of parenthood. Imagine holding a bake sale to fund a knee replacement or c-section. We are asking them to do the impossible, and this is why lawmakers must direct insurers to cover this commonsense care. Michigan is facing a declining birth rate — yet thousands of people who want to have children are being blocked by lack of insurance. There is nothing more American — or more Michigander — than supporting people in starting and growing their families. It’s the foundation our communities, our economy, and what our future is built on.”
The legislation would require private insurers that deliver or renew a health care insurance policy to provide coverage for the fertility treatments of in vitro fertilization (IVF) and intrauterine insemination (IUI), including diagnostic care, treatment, and preservation services. These standards align with the American Society of Reproductive Medicine.
“As a fertility specialist in Michigan, I care for patients every day who are ready to become parents but are blocked by insurance coverage that does not include fertility treatment,” said Dr. Molly Morevek, Michigan-based, board-certified Reproductive Endocrinologist. “Infertility affects one in six people, and no family should have to take on overwhelming debt just to have a child. Expanding coverage for fertility treatment supports families, strengthens our workforce, and helps ensure Michigan remains a place where people can build their futures.”
Expanding insurance coverage for fertility treatment isn’t just about health care — it’s about building and retaining a strong workforce in Michigan. Sixty-six percent of employees would consider switching jobs for better fertility benefits, and 72% would stay longer with an employer offering them — and research from Mercer confirms that employers are adding these benefits to recruit and retain talent, with 97% reporting no significant increase in costs.
Approximately two-thirds of Americans support state-mandated insurance coverage for IVF. A Citizens Research Council study in 2023 found that population and demographic trends are fundamental challenges for Michigan’s future. Michigan’s population is barely growing and will begin to decline in a generation. Too many young people are leaving the state; by 2030, the working age population is projected to shrink by more than 150,000 people. Requiring insurers to provide coverage for standard fertility treatments is a practical solution.
To view the press conference, click here.
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