FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE | June 11, 2025

Press Contact: Mus Lamia | mlamia@council.nyc.gov 

Education Amid Republican attacks on IVF, Intro 1303 would require the DOHMH to conduct a public education and outreach campaign on fertility treatments and coverage options to help close gaps in reproductive healthcare

City Hall, NY — At today’s Stated Meeting of the New York City Council, Council Member Shahana Hanif, accompanied by 19 members of the Council’s Women’s Caucus, introduced Intro 1303, a bill aimed at increasing public awareness of fertility care and improving access to critical
information regarding insurance and Medicaid coverage for fertility treatments. This legislation
comes at a critical moment when the Trump administration and the GOP are continuing to dismantle key components of the healthcare safety net, particularly efforts to undermine Medicare and roll back reproductive rights at the federal level. These national attacks on bodily autonomy and access to care highlight the urgent need for municipalities like New York City to reaffirm and strengthen reproductive healthcare access at the local level.

Fertility care has seen increased usage in recent years, reflecting a growing awareness and demand. However, misconceptions remain widespread, particularly in low-income communities. Many individuals remain unaware of the financial assistance available or mistakenly believe that fertility services are accessible only to the wealthy. Furthermore, fertility care is often disconnected from broader discussions about reproductive health and family planning, leaving many without a complete understanding of how it relates to their overall reproductive goals. Notably, this bill is being introduced in the first women-majority New York City Council in the city’s history, highlighting the transformative power of representation and the legislative body’s commitment to promoting equitable and inclusive healthcare policy.

Intro 1303 would require the Department of Health and Mental Hygiene (DOHMH) to work with the Mayor’s Office of Community and Ethnic Media to develop and implement a comprehensive public education and outreach campaign that raises awareness about fertility treatment options and informs New Yorkers about insurance and Medicaid coverage options related to fertility care. Outreach efforts would be conducted both in-person and virtually, and all campaign materials would be provided in the city’s designated languages under Local Law 30. The campaign would leverage a variety of media platforms, including television, radio, the internet, print, digital kiosks, and advertisements in subways and other public transit systems. Materials would also be distributed at public hospitals and clinics across the five boroughs.

The campaign’s educational content would cover the following topics:
● Common fertility treatments, including in vitro fertilization and fertility preservation;
● The role of fertility care as a key component of comprehensive healthcare;
● The benefits of accessing fertility care early;
● Eligibility criteria and coverage requirements under New York State insurance law for individual, small group, and large group health insurance plans;
● Medicaid eligibility and required fertility treatment services covered under New York State law.

Council Member Hanif was joined in introducing the bill by 19 members of the Women’s Caucus including: Caucus Co-Chair Carmen De La Rosa, Caucus Co-Chair Julie Menin, Council Deputy Speaker Diana Ayala, Council Majority Leader Amanda Farías, Council Majority Whip Selvena Brooks-Powers, Council Health Chair Lynn Schulman, Council Women & Gender Equity Chair Farah Louis, and Council Members Julie Won, Tiffany Cabán, Mercedes Narcisse, Rita Joseph, Alexa Avilés, Carlina Rivera, Nantasha Williams, Gale Brewer, Sandra Ung, Crystal Hudson, Sandy Nurse, and Jennifer Gutiérrez.

“It’s been challenging to navigate the misinformation and stigma surrounding fertility care as I’ve considered growing my own family. That’s why I’m especially proud to introduce Intro 1303 today, legislation focused on increasing public awareness and education on fertility care
and coverage options,” said Council Member Shahana Hanif, Co-Chair of the Progressive
Caucus. “Thanks to our partners in Albany, many fertility services are available at no cost or for a low cost through private insurance or Medicaid. But too many New Yorkers don’t know that these options are available to them. I’m looking forward to working alongside the Women’s Caucus and my colleagues in the Council to move this bill through the legislative process.”

“It is critical that New Yorkers wishing to expand their families have information about fertility treatment options and corresponding insurance or Medicaid coverage. Council Member Hanif’s bill will empower women to make informed decisions about their reproductive health and the fertility options available to them. Raising awareness about these options not only helps ease the financial burden but also supports equitable access to care, allowing more New Yorkers the opportunity to build families and raise children,” said Council Member Julie Menin and Council Member Carmen De La Rosa, Co-Chairs of the Women’s Caucus.

“Access to fertility care is a fundamental part of reproductive healthcare — but for too many New Yorkers, especially low-income, immigrant, and BIPOC communities, that access is blocked by a lack of information or unaffordable costs,” said Council Majority Leader
Amanda Farías. “Intro 1303 is a crucial step to ensure New Yorkers understand their reproductive rights, fertility care options, and available coverage. I’m proud to join Council Member Hanif and my colleagues in the Women’s Caucus in fighting for a more equitable,
inclusive, and informed approach to reproductive justice.”

“Access to fertility care and education should not be a privilege—it’s a fundamental part of comprehensive healthcare,” said New York City Council Majority Whip Selvena N. Brooks-Powers. “In Southeast Queens, where Black women face some of the most severe
disparities in maternal health outcomes, ensuring that families understand their fertility options and rights is a critical step toward equity. My family has been blessed by fertility options, and I’m proud to support this legislation, which will bring much-needed awareness to services already available under insurance and Medicaid and help close gaps in care for communities across our city.”

“Hundreds of thousands of New Yorkers are unaware of the fertility care they’re entitled to,
leading many to miss out on vital services that support their family planning journeys,” said
Council Member Sandy Nurse. “Access to fertility care is key to making New York City sustainable for our communities for generations to come. This legislation ensures every eligible New Yorker knows the care available to them.”

“Too often, reproductive care conversations leave out the very real struggles and systemic barriers people face in accessing fertility support,” said Council Member Jennifer Gutiérrez. “This bill is a powerful step toward ensuring that every New Yorker—regardless of income, language, or background—knows what options exist and how to access them. Reproductive justice means building families on our own terms and with support, and that starts with information.”

“I’m excited to co-sponsor this bill to expand fertility healthcare access and information around our city. Everyone should be equipped with the information necessary to advocate for their own health and needs,” said Council Member Alexa Avilés. “I urge my colleagues in the Council to pass this bill so that New Yorkers are able to close healthcare gaps. We all deserve to make informed medical decisions—matters of fertility are no different.”

“At a time when reproductive rights are under attack across the country, New York City must do everything it can to expand access to reproductive and fertility care,” said Council Member Sandra Ung. “That means making sure New Yorkers know what services are available to them, what their insurance or Medicaid may already cover, and why it’s so important to seek care early.
A multilingual, citywide awareness campaign will ensure every New Yorker has the knowledge and support they need to make informed choices about their reproductive health. I’m proud to be a co-prime sponsor of this important bill, and I want to thank Councilmember Hanif for her leadership in bringing this issue to the forefront.”

“Planned Parenthood of Greater New York (PPGNY) is proud to support CM Hanif’s local law that would require DOHMH to conduct a public education and outreach campaign on fertility treatment, the NYS insurance coverage of this treatment, and Medicaid coverage of fertility treatments,” said Dipal Shah, Chief External Affairs Officer, Planned Parenthood of Greater New York. As a leading provider of sexual and reproductive care and education in New York, we believe everyone deserves access to this critical health information in order to make the best decisions for themselves, their families, and their futures. We thank Council Member Hanif for her leadership and advocacy in reproductive health advocacy.”

“ASRM wholeheartedly supports the introduction of this local law directing New York’s Department of Health and Mental Hygiene (DOHMH) to educate the public on their right to access comprehensive fertility services, particularly the information necessary to make informed decisions about their own health, the health of their families, and the well-being of their communities,” said Dr. Elizabeth Ginsburg, President, American Society for Reproductive Medicine. We thank Councilmember Hanif for spearheading this important effort.”

“Laws that provide fertility health care coverage are critical to ensuring non-discriminatory and equitable access to the care individuals need to build or grow their families,” said Jorie Dugan, Human Rights Counsel at the Center for Reproductive Rights. “Just as critical are public education campaigns like Council Member Hanif’s, that would raise awareness about fertility treatment options and inform New Yorkers about their insurance and Medicaid coverage options. This is an important step toward making sure that the communities who need this care know that it is available to them and know how to access it.”

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About Council Member Shahana Hanif: Council Member Shahana Hanif represents Brooklyn’s 39th District and is Co-Chair of the New York City Council’s Progressive Caucus and the Council’s Task Force to Combat Hate. Born and raised in the 39th District to Bangladeshi immigrant parents, Council Member Hanif has dedicated her career to advocating for working-class families and advancing a city built on
care, equity, and safety. Since her election in 2021, Council Member Hanif has passed significant legislation, including Local Law 85 (2023), which mandates universal residential composting; Local Laws 75 and 76 (2022), which protect and expand abortion rights in NYC; and Local Law 161 (2023), which created a pioneering Immigrant Workers Bill of Rights. She also enacted Local Law 45 (2024),
providing survivors of domestic violence with free lock changes, personal safety alarms, and door and window repairs. Council Member Hanif is the first Muslim woman ever elected to the New York City Council and the first woman to represent the 39th District in the New York City Council.