ASSEMBLY AGING AND HUMAN SERVICES COMMITTEE

STATEMENT TO

[First Reprint]

ASSEMBLY, No. 5000

STATE OF NEW JERSEY

DATED:  JANUARY 23, 2025

      The Assembly Aging and Human Services Committee reports favorably Assembly Bill No. 5000 (1R).

      This bill requires the State Medicaid program and the Plan First program to cover standard fertility preservation services in cases in which a medically necessary medical treatment may directly or indirectly cause iatrogenic infertility.  The State’s Plan First program provides a benefit package of family planning and family planning-related services and supplies for individuals whose annual incomes are below 205 percent of the federal poverty level and who are not otherwise eligible for Medicaid or the NJ FamilyCare program.

      The bill defines “iatrogenic infertility” as an impairment of fertility caused by surgery, radiation, chemotherapy, or other medical treatment affecting reproductive organs or processes.  The bill further defines “standard fertility preservation services” as procedures which are consistent with established medical practices and professional guidelines published by the American Society for Reproductive Medicine, the American Society of Clinical Oncology, or as defined by the New Jersey Department of Health.

      The bill will provide Medicaid and Plan First participants who face iatrogenic infertility with access to fertility preservation services that are frequently cost-prohibitive for low-to-moderate income patients.