For couples struggling with infertility, starting a family can be difficult enough, and having to pay thousands of dollars to have a baby can only add to the problem. That is why advocates are hoping lawmakers can make it affordable to everyone.

Two-and-a-half year old twins Hannah and James are just starting to show their parents their young personalities. "Every once in a while we catch them doing something so sweet, just holding hands, or doing something for helping one another it warms your heart," said Rebecca Skipper, a mom and infertility patient.

These heart-warming moments were years in the making for parents Rebecca and Paul Skipper. "I kind of went from infertility victim to lottery winner overnight," Rebecca Skipper said.

The Skippers had to spend almost $50,000 for two cycles of in-vitro fertilization treatments.

"I remember when I wrote the check for my first IVF cycle... I felt like a I wanted to burst out in tears...," Skipper said.

The Family Building Act, now in Congress, would eliminate the financial burden by requiring insurance benefits for advanced fertility treatment. Only 14 states, including Maryland, require some level of infertility coverage.

"Infertility is actually a disease, so like any other disease, it should be covered by insurance," said Barbara Collura with the National Infertility Association.

The insurance industry, however, is opposed to the proposal because of the effect it would have on health care costs.

"What happens in reality is as the cost of premiums goes up to reflect the additional services and treatments it makes it more difficult for employers to afford coverage," said Susan Pisano with America's Health Insurance Plans.

While the Skippers are grateful they could afford it, they hope insurance coverage will eventually increase the possibilities for those who can't.

"I didn't like the idea that, in this case, the more money you had the more likely you were to get a baby," added Skipper.

The Family Building Act would cover other types of advanced infertility treatments. In addition to IVF, which has a 30-35 percent success rate, identical bills are being considered now in both House and Senate committees.

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