About four years ago, I faced a near-death experience due to a complicated pregnancy. The medical team at Providence St. Peter Hospital acted swiftly, rushing me into emergency surgery and ultimately saving my life. However, the procedure left me with serious internal damage. Upon waking from anesthesia, I was hit with the devastating news that without in vitro fertilization, I’d never be able to have children on my own.
This was not just my burden to bear. My partner, Michael—an Army veteran who has seen two combat tours in Iraq—saw his dreams of starting a family with me shatter. Our story is not unique. According to a 2023 study published in the Journal of the American Medical Association, infertility impacts one in six people around the globe.
Living in Washington, the cost for just one round of IVF can soar to a staggering $30,000, which doesn’t even cover the full journey; many couples undergo multiple cycles to achieve pregnancy. Unfortunately, insurance companies are not obligated to cover these costs, and most choose not to.
Insurance policies typically cover essential treatments that help restore a person’s quality of life, such as breast reconstruction for cancer survivors or wigs for those who have lost their hair. Yet, fertility treatments are often classified as “elective.”
Think about what that means.
In one life-altering instant, I went from expecting a child to being told I might never experience motherhood. Calling this situation “elective” fails to capture the profound reality of living with sterility.
The prohibitive cost of IVF places it beyond the reach of many, creating an unjust gap among Washington residents. The ability to start a family should be accessible, not a luxury reserved for the wealthy or those fortunate enough to work for companies that offer fertility benefits. Infertility is indiscriminate; it crosses all political, religious, and socioeconomic lines, yet our system does not reflect this reality.
Though Washington prides itself on leading the way in reproductive health care, our stance on infertility lags behind the 22 states and Washington, D.C., that have made greater strides. Critics will argue that requiring fertility coverage could make insurance unaffordable for Washingtonians, but states that have moved forward with IVF coverage, such as Texas and Arkansas, tell a different story.
These states have updated their approaches because they recognize the cost-effectiveness and sustainability of fertility care. While fears of financial disaster have previously impeded progress here, evidence from other states shows that integrating fertility coverage into health care can be done without triggering economic turmoil.
With this financial backing in mind, opponents have since shifted their stance, with some even embracing IVF. The Trump administration has recognized IVF, addressing anti-abortion concerns by allowing the donation of embryos to couples striving to become parents.
This legislative session, House Bill 1129—the Washington State Building Families Act—provides an opportunity to overhaul our reproductive health care policies. The bill proposes that health plans include coverage for diagnosing and treating infertility, ensuring at least two egg retrievals, and barring insurers from enforcing additional restrictions or costs beyond typical medical care.
Biological clocks move relentlessly forward, making it imperative for action. Over time, Washington lawmakers have permitted insurance companies to decide on coverage rather than empowering Washingtonians themselves. Prospective parents here deserve more consideration.
You might not be familiar with my story, but that 1 in 6 statistic likely means someone close to you is facing a similar struggle, haunted by it each night.
Reach out to your state representative today and urge them to support HB 1129.
Time is slipping away.
Maranatha Hay is a health care communications professional based in Seattle.
