Assemblyman Avi Schnall (D-30) has introduced new legislation (A5383) to provide financial relief to couples struggling with infertility by requiring Medicaid to cover the cost of ovulation-enhancing drugs and related medical services. The bill, modeled after a successful program in New York, aims to remove the financial barriers that prevent many aspiring parents from starting a family.
Under current Medicaid rules, the necessary medical monitoring, including office visits, pelvic ultrasounds, hysterosalpingograms, and blood tests, is not covered—forcing many families to pay tens of thousands of dollars out of pocket just for the opportunity to conceive. This legislation would close that gap and ensure that infertility treatments are accessible to those who need them.
“The pain of infertility is devastating, but what makes it even worse is that for many couples, the only thing standing between them and their dream of parenthood is money,” said Assemblyman Schnall. “This is not about luxury or convenience. This is about giving couples a fair shot at starting a family without being financially crushed in the process.”
Infertility affects millions of couples nationwide, and many who qualify for Medicaid are left without options simply because they cannot afford the necessary monitoring. The legislation defines infertility as the inability to conceive after 12 months for individuals 21-34 years old, or after six months for individuals 35-44 years old.
“For so many women, becoming pregnant isn’t a question of medical possibility—it’s a question of affordability,” Schnall stressed.
New York’s Medicaid program already covers these infertility treatments, helping countless couples achieve pregnancy without plunging into debt. Implementing a similar program in New Jersey will give thousands of families the chance to conceive without sacrificing their financial security.
“We have the medical technology. We have the treatments. The only thing left is the will to make them accessible,” Schnall said. “If we truly value family, then we must take action to support those who are struggling to start one.”
