House makes PEHP infertility coverage permanent with one‑egg limit, sponsor says no fiscal cost

The Utah House on Feb. 7 uncircled and passed SB 35, a bill to make permanent infertility treatment coverage for PEHP policyholders after a five‑year pilot. Sponsor Representative Shipp said the bill removes a sunset and limits coverage to procedures that use one egg per in‑vitro cycle; he argued that approach promotes healthier pregnancies and reduces downstream costs, producing a fiscal note of zero.

"This bill removes a sunset and makes permanent the benefit of infertility treatment for PEHP insurance policyholders," Representative Shipp said on the floor, adding the policy focuses care on one‑egg in‑vitro procedures to lower complication rates.

Representative Thurston asked the sponsor to explain how the one‑egg limitation produces better clinical outcomes and why it reduces costs, noting that employers typically face higher costs for mandated benefits. Representative Shipp and other proponents responded that limiting procedures reduces high‑risk pregnancies and associated downstream care, which in turn mitigates budget impacts.

The bill was debated briefly on the floor; summation was waived and voting opened. SB 35 passed the House 75–0 and will be signed by the Speaker and transmitted to the Senate for its consideration.

The floor record does not include clinical studies or actuarial reports on the record; the sponsor’s fiscal claim was given on the floor without accompanying budget documents. Implementation would be handled by PEHP and plan administrators if the Senate and governor approve subsequent steps.