Legislative Democrats introduced a bill that would require insurance companies to cover IVF treatments, citing the right of people who have fertility issues to have a family amid a national debate about the issue.

Lauren VanDeHey, a 28-year-old who was diagnosed with breast cancer, is one example among many people who opted to freeze their eggs due to fertility concerns.

“It was overwhelming,” VanDeHey said, “especially when you’re young and healthy and not expecting any of this to happen.”

State Representative Jodi Emerson, D-Eau Claire, stated that she supported the bill because of the steep costs of IVF treatments without insurance coverage.

“Like any other health condition, it deserves the medical treatment to be affordable and accessible. Yet right now, too many individuals and couples are forced to choose between financial stability and the chance to start a family.” 

President Trump echoed calls for insurance companies to cover IVF during his 2024 Presidential campaign. (RELATED: Transgender Student Convicted in Indiana School Massacre Plot)

While some Republicans have supported efforts to expand IVF coverage and treatments, many have expressed concerns about insurance mandates violating religious freedom.

Last year, Senate Republicans blocked a bill that would require employers, including religious employers, to provide insurance coverage that covers IVF.

Senator Ted Cruz, R-Tx. said that the bill would overturn protections laid out in the Religious Freedom Restoration Act, calling it “partisan”.

“It is unfortunate that Democrats have abandoned what used to be a bipartisan commitment to religious liberty and they are now more than willing to overturn religious liberty protections,” Cruz said.

Wisconsin’s Republican Speaker of the House demurred on the bill, saying he supports it in principle but hasn’t reviewed the details yet. (RELATED: Healthcare Costs Soar Despite Democrats’ Massive Subsidies to Insurance Industry)

“I’m certainly not going to say it’s a positive or a negative. We just haven’t seen the bill. I support IVF,” Speaker Robin Vos said. “If you really want to get something signed into law, you would probably talk to the people in the majority.”