Reproductive Equity Now Advocates for Equitable Coverage for Fertility Care, Contraception, and Gender-Affirming Care
WATCH: Connecticut State Director Liz Gustafson Testifies for the Human Services Committee in Support of H.B. 5482 and H.B. 5483
HARTFORD (March 11, 2026) – Yesterday, Reproductive Equity Now’s Connecticut State Director, Liz Gustafson, testified in front of the Human Services Committee in support of both H.B. 5482, An Act Concerning Twelve Month Coverage for Contraception and Hormone Therapy, and H.B. 5483, An Act Concerning Fertility Care Under The Medicaid Program. These bills will increase access to the full spectrum of reproductive health care by ensuring that fertility care, a 12-month supply of hormonal birth control, and a 12-month supply of hormone therapy are available to Connecticut residents enrolled in HUSKY, the state’s Medicaid program. Currently, the state mandates that only some private insurers cover these services.
You can watch Gustafson deliver her testimony for the committee HERE or read, as prepared for delivery, below. You can also read Reproductive Equity Now’s submitted written testimony HERE.
Oral Testimony
March 10, 2026
Reproductive Equity Now Testimony in Support of H.B. 5482 and H.B. 5483
Liz Gustafson, Connecticut State Director
Connecticut Human Services Committee
*as prepared for delivery*
Senator Lesser, Representative Gilchrest, and esteemed members of the Human Services Committee, my name is Liz Gustafson, and I am the Connecticut State Director of Reproductive Equity Now.
Thank you for the opportunity to testify in support of both H.B. 5482 and H.B. 5483.
As a state and regional organization, Reproductive Equity Now works in Connecticut and across New England to make equitable access to the full spectrum of reproductive health care a reality for all people. Connecticut residents deserve to live in safe, thriving communities where everyone can seek the full range of sexual and reproductive health care they need, with the insurance coverage they deserve.
Timely and consistent access to affordable contraception is critical for ensuring people can access and utilize the birth control that meets their individual needs. Our state has made great progress in advancing contraceptive access, but there is still more work to be done to advance equity. Connecticut has enacted expanded access by requiring most private insurance plans to cover a 12-month supply of FDA-approved contraception at one time, and H.B. 5482 builds on this progress by extending coverage to those with HUSKY Health. Regardless of medical need, income, insurance carrier, or proximity to a pharmacy, patients deserve affordable and accessible care.
Additionally, Reproductive Equity Now believes that the decision about if, when, or how to become a parent is one of the most important life decisions we make, and everyone should be able to make that decision without barriers—which includes equitable access to fertility care.
Connecticut’s existing coverage requirement for fertility care only applies to private insurers, which means that state residents insured through HUSKY Health are excluded from fertility care coverage.
While this bill would not cover the full range of fertility health care for Medicaid, it is an important step forward to increase support for family building and fertility preservation.
As someone who has endometriosis, and was denied insurance coverage for my own fertility preservation, I know firsthand that cost continues to be a significant barrier for those seeking and needing fertility care.
H.B. 5483 is an important step and recognition that here in Connecticut, all people and all families, regardless of insurer, who they are, or how much money they make, deserve access to the full spectrum of fertility and family-building health care they need to start or grow their families.
Passage of both HB 5482 and HB 5482 is a matter of economic, racial and reproductive justice. Our state must ensure no one is left behind, and that all people have equitable access to insurance coverage of the health care they need. We urge the Committee and General Assembly to support HB 5482 and HB 5482.
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