The Maryland Senate has approved a measure that would force insurance companies to provide benefits to certain couples pursuing in vitro fertilization.
The Senate voted 25-20 to pass the bill on Tuesday.
The bill would apply only to couples with two specific medical conditions. Sen. Joan Carter Conway of Baltimore says she sponsored it on behalf of a constituent who couldn't get insurance to pay for IVF costs arising from her ovarian condition and her partner's inability to produce sperm.
State analysts estimate only 1 percent of couples pursuing IVF treatment would have both conditions.
The bill was deadlocked 23-23 on an earlier vote this month. But Tuesday's approval sends the bill to the House of Delegates for consideration.
Copyright AP - Associated Press