IVF Bill SB768 Faces May 1 Deadline

Updated 4/30/15, 5/11/15

Piilani Smith, AP photo in the Star-Advertiser, 4/27/15. Click to enlarge.

SB768 SD1, “Relating to In Vitro Fertilization Insurance Coverage,” introduced by Senator Maile Shimabukuro, must pass out of committee by Friday, May 1, if it is to survive. The bill provides insurance coverage equality for women who are diagnosed with infertility by making available to them expanded treatment options, ensuring adequate and affordable health care services. (The companion House bill is HB864 HD2.)

The Senate conference committee — Green chair; Baker, English co-chairs; Shimabukuro, Taniguchi — met on April 27 and 28 but postponed making a decision. They’ll reconvene on Wednesday, April 29, at 8:30AM in conference room 229.

Senator Maile Shimabukuro, AP photo by Cathy Bussewitz. Click to enlarge.

The following excerpts are from the AP story, “Bill Seeks to Expand Coverage for Hawaii Fertility Law,” by Cathy Bussewitz in the April 27 Star-Advertiser:

“All women should be respected equally, despite their marital status,” said Piilani Smith, a Native Hawaiian cultural practitioner who’s been pushing for change at the Hawaii Legislature for the past two years. “Given that women are pursuing professional careers and securing their place in the work force, they wait until later in life to begin their families, and they should not be discriminated against.”

“Many of us have put off having children until later in life,” said Sen. Maile Shimabukuro, D-Waianae, who introduced the bill. “If you’re someone in your late 30s or even approaching 40, that’s really onerous requirement.” As someone who’s divorced and in her early 40s, the issue is close to her heart, Shimabukuro said.

Read the full story on the Star-Advertiser site.
Relatd story: Kamalii, Smith, and Sen. Shimabukuro Discuss SB 768 on 5/1/15
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Also published in:
NY Times, 4/28/15.
ABC News, 4/28/15.
Atlantic Broadband, 4/28/15.
US News, 4/28/15.
Daily Mail (UK), 4/27/15
San Francisco Chronicle, 4/27/15.
San Diego Union-Tribune, 4/27/15.
The [Tacoma] News Tribune, 4/27/15.
SeattlePI, 4/27/15.
Idaho Press-Tribune, 4/27/15.
Idaho State Journal, 4/27/15.