Alliance for Fertility Preservation Honors Senator Anthony Portantino with Trailblazer Award
For Immediate Release: August 25, 2023
Contact: Lerna Shirinian, (818) 409-0400
Alliance for Fertility Preservation Honors Senator Anthony Portantino with Trailblazer Award
Sacramento, CA – Senator Anthony J. Portantino (D – Burbank) was honored with the Trailblazer Award by the Alliance for Fertility Preservation for his longtime dedication to fertility preservation for cancer patients and for authoring and passing Senate Bill 600. As an Assemblymember, Senator Portantino introduced the first bill in the country to require insurers to cover the cost of fertility preservation for patients facing chemotherapy and radiation treatment. While helping to support the national effort at the time, he remained committed to the cause, and eventually championed the bill when he joined the Senate.
SB 600 clarifies the existence of health insurance coverage for fertility preservation procedures and became law in 2019. Senator Portantino is also currently a co-author of SB 729, which would remove economic barriers and expand equitable access to fertility treatments for millions of Californians.
“I am grateful and honored to receive the Trailblazer Award from the Alliance for Fertility Preservation,” stated Senator Portantino. “I was moved by a 26-year-old woman who detailed her personal struggle for me when I was in the Assembly, and it made me eager to help. Subsequently, a broad coalition came together to make this happen for California and they have been passionately working in many other states. I was proud to have authored SB 600 to ensure that cancer patients are not faced with the heartbreaking decision of treating their cancer and losing their fertility. Today, Californians have the opportunity to preserve fertility options prior to chemo and other aggressive treatments.”
Insurance policies and health plans cover a wide variety of cancer treatments and follow-up procedures due to the effects of treatments. Examples of this include reconstructive surgery and fertility preservation. There was confusion in the definition of fertility preservation, leaving many patients without coverage. The lack of clarity in insurance coverage regulation for these services caused patients to forego fertility preservation treatment and sacrifice their chance of future parenthood. SB 600 clarified that these services are covered benefits so that patients can obtain fertility preservation immediately and focus on their treatment.
“This law had a profound impact on my life. It allowed me to freeze embryos ahead of my lifesaving chemotherapy treatments. During a dark time, it gave me the hope that one day I may be able to have a child of my own,” stated Katie McKnight, who was diagnosed with breast cancer at age 30 and one of the first beneficiaries of SB 600.
“The Alliance for Fertility Preservation believes that having cancer should not preclude having children,” stated Joyce Reinecke, Executive Director of the Alliance for Fertility Preservation. “Young cancer patients have suffered enough, and they deserve the chance at a full and complete life after cancer. Senator Portantino’s leadership and commitment to fertility preservation coverage through the passage of SB 600 not only safeguards that future for millions of Californians, it has served as a beacon and a model for states across the country. We are truly grateful for his compassion and perseverance over the many years it took to realize this important protection for the patients we serve.”
The Alliance for Fertility Preservation is a 501c3 charitable organization that focuses on fertility preservation for cancer patients. Its mission is to increase information, resources and access to fertility preservation for cancer patients and the healthcare professionals who treat them.
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