U.S. Sen. Kirsten Gillibrand is among the co-sponsors of federal legislation that would establish nationwide protections for in vitro fertilization and expand insurance coverage for assisted reproductive care.
The Right to IVF Act of 2026 would create federal rights for patients and providers to access or deliver assisted reproductive technology and intrauterine insemination, according to the bill text.
The proposal would prevent state or local restrictions from interfering with those rights and allow federal enforcement when access is limited in violation of the law.
Separate provisions would expand fertility services for active-duty military members, veterans and their spouses or partners. The bill calls for reproductive treatment, fertility preservation, counseling and coordination between the Defense Department and Department of Veterans Affairs.
The legislation would also establish coverage standards for private health plans and require assisted reproductive benefits under Medicaid and Medicare. Federal employee health plans would also be required to include coverage.
The bill defines assisted reproductive technology to include treatments and procedures involving the handling of human eggs, sperm or embryos for the purpose of establishing a pregnancy.
Gillibrand joined Sen. Tammy Duckworth and dozens of other senators as co-sponsors. The measure would need approval from both chambers of Congress before becoming law.
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