Senator Portantino Introduces Fertility Preservation Bill

Senator Anthony J. Portantino (D – La Cañada Flintridge), introduced legislation that will provide cancer patients, as well as others fighting diseases through aggressive treatments, the options to protect their fertility if those treatments jeopardize it.

“It just doesn’t seem right that anyone should have to choose between fighting cancer and his or her ability to have children,” commented Portantino.

While most insurance policies and plans cover a wide variety of cancer treatments and follow-up procedures due to consequences and effects of treatment, such as reconstructive surgery, fertility preservations unfortunately is not included in those plans. This omission forces many patients to forego or delay treatment as they grapple with these decisions. Many get sicker as a result of these delays. SB 172 is an effort to take one decision from their burden so patients can focus on getting better.

“As a father of two wonderful daughters, I know the joys of parenthood. This bill will have a positive impact on the lives of many Californians and their future families, ease their worries, save insurance money in the long run and engender better feelings for the patients,” concluded Portantino.

In 2011, as a member of the California State Assembly, Senator Portantino introduced the first in the nation legislation, AB 428, on this topic.