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Councilmember Henderson - Bill Would Require Insurance to Cover Invitro Fertilization

“It is amazing that this bill needs to be filed and implemented,” she said Tuesday at a news conference in front of the John A. Wilson Building in Northwest with supporters of the legislation. “Domestic workers in D.C. are excluded from basic worker protections because their workplace is in a private home. These women perform difficult work for not high pay. They need clear wages and clear work schedules.”

At-Large Councilmember Christina Henderson, Ward 4 Councilmember Janeese Lewis George, and Ward 6 Councilmember Charles Allen, who had lost his voice, also addressed a crowd of ecstatic, sign-carrying members of the D.C. chapter of the National Domestic Workers Alliance. With five additional co-introducers, the bill enjoys enough early support to pass the full Council.

Among the councilmembers who were there to support the bill were Christina Henderson, Janeese Lewis George, and Charles Allen. Lewis George, who shared her family’s history as domestic workers in the District, says that systemic racism is partially to blame for the lack of protections.

In 2020, the {D.C. Government Paid Leave Enhancement Act}, which Silverman wrote with At-Large Councilmember Christina Henderson (I), was co-introduced by all 13 Council members. It provided D.C. government employees with up to 12 weeks of parental or family caregiving leave, as well as personal medical leave and pre-natal leave.

“I don’t know what’s going to happen with the House of Representatives in November, but our window is super limited,” said Councilmember Christina Henderson (I-At Large) during an event hosted by a new marijuana-gifting advocacy group last month. “That has been one of the messages we have expressed to our allies in the Congress — it has to happen this calendar year or we’re going to miss our window.”

“Treatments for infertility can cost anywhere between $17,000 to $25,000,” Henderson said. “And health insurance providers are not required to cover the cost of diagnosis or treatment.” The measure was co-introduced with members Mary Cheh, Brianne Nadeau, Anita Bonds and Charles Allen, and co-sponsored by Council member Janeese Lewis George.

"We know a lot of families right now have been squeezed financially," Henderson said. "And diapers can cost anywhere from $75 to $100 a month, which is a costly expense for some families who might have to make a decision between do I put a fresh diaper on my child or do I pay the light bill? And I feel like no child in the district should have to make that choice."

What they’re saying: Henderson says speaking with friends who have struggled with infertility helped inspire the bill, and hopes it tackles health-cost inequities and opens up more dialogue for patients of color facing infertility.

"We know a lot of families right now have been squeezed financially," Henderson said. "And diapers can cost anywhere from $75 to $100 a month, which is a costly expense for some families who might have to make a decision between do I put a fresh diaper on my child or do I pay the light bill? And I feel like no child in the district should have to make that choice."

At-large D.C. Council member Christina Henderson has introduced legislation to expand coverage provided through private insurers, Medicaid and the DC Healthcare Alliance to include diagnosis and treatment for infertility.

Silverman and Councilmember Christina Henderson (I-At Large) have also introduced a bill that would bring increase paid leave for D.C. government workers to make them even with private-sector employees. There’s a hearing on that bill today, alongside another measure to offer bereavement leave following the death of a family member or stillbirth.