FACT Praises Comptroller’s New Policy Expanding Fertility Healthcare Coverage for State Workers

Today, Connecticut Comptroller Sean Scanlon announced the expansion of the state’s employee healthcare coverage to enable LGBTQ+ people and single people to access fertility healthcare on the same basis as heterosexual couples.

“Access to adequate healthcare should not be decided by someone’s sex, gender identity or expression, nor their sexual orientation,” said Comptroller Scanlon. “This change to our State Plan was long overdue, and my office is committed to analyzing existing policies to ensure they are inclusive of our diverse member base.”

Fertility Access Connecticut, a coalition comprised of reproductive health and LGBTQ+ rights organizations, praised the move.

“We applaud Comptroller Scanlon for making the state a fairer and more inclusive employer for LGBTQ+ people. Equality Connecticut is pleased for the members of our community who work for the state and want to start a family,” said Matt Blinstrubas, Executive Director of Equality Connecticut. “They will now be able to take that very human step without jumping through hoops – hoops that are expensive, demoralizing, physically demanding, and discriminatory.”

Without equal access to insurance coverage, LGBTQ+ people face often prohibitive costs for fertility care or must prove their infertility with less reliable, self-paid treatments.

“We’re grateful to Comptroller Scanlon for his leadership in increasing equity for LGBTQ+ state employees with this important policy change,” said Polly Crozier, Director of Family Advocacy at GLBTQ Legal Advocates & Defenders (GLAD). “Fertility care is critical healthcare for many people, but without insurance coverage the cost can keep it out of reach. This is a tremendous step forward for state employees. Now, the legislature can take the next step toward ensuring equality and fairness by requiring private insurers to cover fertility care for LGBTQ+ and single individuals and by ensuring coverage of fertility care for families insured by HUSKY Health. Connecticut has shown its deep commitment to LGBTQ+ inclusion, reproductive rights, and supporting children and families with past legislation and we hope policy makers will act to ensure more families have access to quality, timely fertility care.”

“Everyone should be able to make the reproductive healthcare decisions that are best for them,” State Representative Jillian Gilchrest (D-West Hartford) said. “I am grateful that Comptroller Sean Scanlon recognizes that and has expanded Connecticut’s fertility coverage to serve the needs of those in the LGBTQ+ community.”

“This important change is a much-needed and significant sign of progress for the LGBTQ+ community,” said State Representative Jeff Currey (D-East Hartford, Manchester). “Removing barriers to family planning and expanding infertility coverage to LGBTQ+ and single state employees creates more inclusive healthcare coverage and moves past outdated policies that discriminate on the basis of sex, gender identity, or expression.”

“We thank Comptroller Scanlon for his continued leadership and work to advance reproductive and LGBTQ+ rights and being a champion for health equity. This expansion is a significant first step to improving our state’s policies, ensuring that LGBTQ+ and single people with state health plans have access to the fertility health care they need to plan their families.” said Gretchen Raffa, vice president of public policy, advocacy, and organizing at Planned Parenthood of Southern New England, “It is critical that the state eliminates barriers to fertility care coverage in both public and private health insurance coverage so that everyone can make personal decisions about their health, life, and future, including if and when to start a family.”

The FACT Coalition supports An Act Promoting Equity in Coverage for Fertility Health Care, which was first introduced last session. The Act would expand access to fertility care in Connecticut by requiring private insurers to cover such care for LGBTQ+ people and single individuals and ensuring fertility healthcare coverage for those who receive care through HUSKY Health.

Fertility Access Connecticut (FACT) includes GLBTQ Legal Advocates & Defenders, the Reproductive Rights Justice Project (RRJP) at Yale Law School, Planned Parenthood of Southern New England, Equality Connecticut, the Center for Reproductive Rights, Illume Fertility, the National Health Law Program, RESOLVE New England and others.