Fertility Preservation Coverage for Cancer Patients in Texas
An act relating to health benefit coverage for certain fertility preservation services under certain health benefit plans.
With increased treatment options available, physicians should have the opportunity to discuss fertility preservation options with patients approaching cancer treatments and confidently refer them to appropriate reproductive specialists with the assurance that those preservation procedures will be covered, regardless of the payor.
We encourage Texas state legislators to support HB 2682, and its companion bill, SB 959, to provide cancer patients, their families and providers with the opportunity to preserve their reproductive options and their lives beyond cancer.
Legislative Text:
HB 2682 (Sponsor: Representative Nicole Collier)
SB 959 (Sponsor: Sen. Jose Menendez)
Status:
House Bill — 2019-04-29 : Committee report sent to Calendars
Senate Bill — 2019-03-01 : Referred to Business & Commerce
May 8, 2019
The Honorable Eddie Lucio III, Chair, House Insurance Committee
The Honorable Tom Oliverson, Vice Chair, House Insurance Committee
Texas House of Representatives
P.O. Box 2910 P.O. Box 2910
Austin, TX 78768 Austin, TX 78768
Dear Representatives Lucio and Oliverson;
On behalf of the more than 15, 000 children who will be diagnosed with cancer this year and the almost 500,000 childhood cancer survivors in this country, along with their families, we urge you to support HB 2682, to provide for fertility preservation coverage for cancer patients in Texas. The Children’s Cause, established in 1999, was founded to ensure the needs and perspectives of children with cancer and survivors are integrated into health care, research and cancer policy.
More than 95% of childhood cancer survivors will have at least one late effect of their disease or treatment by the time they reach 45 years of age. One third of these individuals will suffer severe and chronic health impairments; a prominent one of which is damage to their reproductive systems.
With increased treatment options available, physicians should have the opportunity to discuss fertility preservation options with patients approaching cancer treatments and confidently refer them to appropriate reproductive specialists with the assurance that those preservation procedures will be covered, regardless of the payor.
We encourage you and your colleagues to support HB 2682, and its companion bill, SB 959, to provide cancer patients, their families and providers with the opportunity to preserve their reproductive options and their lives beyond cancer.
Thank you for your attention to this important matter and please let us know if you have any questions or would like any assistance.
Sincerely,
George Dahlman
Chief Executive Office
Children’s Cause for Cancer Advocacy
Cc: Senator Jose Menendez
Representative Nicole Collie