Under a new proposal, the health service of the United Kingdom, the NHS might offer free fertility treatment to all same-sex couples.

Gay and lesbian couples in the UK will be permitted to get an artificial insemination treatment even without having a fertility problem, according to the draft proposal from an NHS regulator. The National Institute for Health and Clinical Excellence (NICE) aid that the couples who do not get pregnant after six attempts with donor semen should be offered further treatment and IVF.

This is the first time that fertility treatment has been allowed for same sex couples in the NHS. The move will also allow gay couples to bring along a surrogate mother for treatment who would carry the baby for them. The recommendations are included in the guidelines to NHS fertility provision, for which the consultations are being held by NICE.

The guidelines would also increase the upper age for IVF from 39 to 42. Those with infectious diseases and other disabilities that prevent them from having sexual intercourse will also be eligible for the treatment from the NHS.