Council member Hanif pushes fertility‑care outreach; DOHMH backs intent but cites specialist role

Council Member Shahana Hanif introduced Intro 1303, a bill that would require the Department of Health and Mental Hygiene to develop and implement a comprehensive public education and outreach campaign on fertility treatment, insurance coverage requirements under New York State law, and Medicaid eligibility.

"Fertility care must be recognized as a core part of reproductive health care," Hanif said, describing outreach in multiple languages and partnerships with community and ethnic media to reach low‑income immigrant and working‑class communities. She argued greater public awareness could reduce misinformation, stigma and financial uncertainty for people seeking fertility services.

Acting Health Commissioner Dr. Michelle Morse told the Committee DOHMH supports the intent of increasing awareness but does not consider the health department the primary clinical expert in subspecialty fertility care. Morse said DOHMH typically refers detailed coverage and clinical questions to OB‑GYNs and reproductive endocrinology and infertility (REI) specialists across the city and that the department focuses on population‑level reproductive‑health work such as abortion access.

Members and witnesses described high out‑of‑pocket costs: Council Member Marano noted a single in‑vitro fertilization (IVF) cycle can cost "$15 to $20,000" and several public speakers described pursuing care abroad because of costs. Nomiki Konst, a public witness, recounted multiple IVF rounds and urged Council support.

DOHMH said it will examine whether it can collect or surface data on fertility disparities and on New Yorkers’ knowledge gaps about fertility coverage; Assistant Commissioner Gretchen Van Wye said the department would follow up on whether it holds relevant surveillance data.

The Council received no final votes at the hearing; members indicated they will continue discussing the appropriate city role in public education and the technical design of any outreach campaign.