Washington, D.C. – Today, Congresswoman Julia Brownley (D-CA) announced the reintroduction of the Veteran Infertility Treatment Act, which would make infertility care, including in-vitro fertilization, a part of VA healthcare for enrolled veterans struggling with infertility, regardless of marital status, service-connection, or need for donated genetic material.
“For too long VA has overlooked the healthcare needs of veterans who struggle with infertility. This bill is simple, it states that we have an obligation to provide those who have served our nation with the healthcare they need to start a family of their own.” said Congresswoman Julia Brownley. “Parenthood is one of the most rewarding chapters in life, and veterans experiencing the challenges of infertility should have access to quality care, treatment, and resources.
“As Chairwoman of the Women Veterans Task Force, I know all too well that service-connected infertility is extremely hard to pinpoint when it comes to women veterans, which is why this bill simply states that infertility is a healthcare need like any other and VA must cover it like any other.”
“RESOLVE: The National Infertility Association enthusiastically supports the Veterans Infertility Treatment Act of 2021 introduced by Congresswoman Brownley,” said Barbara Collura, President & CEO, RESOLVE: The National Infertility Association. “Our veterans not only deserve the best healthcare available, but they have a right to access the appropriate care for them. For those veterans wishing to build or grow their family, the options offered by the Veterans Health Administration have been limited, outdated, and very difficult to access. This bill brings veterans family-building into the 21st century and will create countless families for our nation’s veterans.”
“Paralyzed Veterans of America applauds Congresswoman Brownley for introducing the Veterans Infertility Treatment Act of 2021 which would uphold our responsibility to our nations’ veterans to ensure the men and women who experience infertility due to injuries or illness incurred in service to this country can have families of their own,” said Heather Ansley, Associate Executive Director of Government Relations for Paralyzed Veterans of America.
“Every veteran should have access to the comprehensive family planning measures designed to meet them where they are as they start to build their family. For so many veterans, especially those suffering from genitourinary trauma, expanded coverage like in vitro fertilization measures are the only options available to them,” said Lindsay Church, Minority Veterans of America’s Executive Director and Navy Veteran. “This legislation also makes an important clarification of the term ‘partner.’ Through this ground-breaking bill, families like my own will have the opportunity to grow without the financial barriers that would otherwise prevent them. We applaud Congresswoman Brownley and her sponsoring colleagues for their dedicated advocacy and call upon our nation’s legislators to help ensure swift passage of this life-changing measure.”
“After serving honorably and sacrificing for their country, many disabled veterans – including DAV members – have reported struggling with infertility,” said Joy Ilem, National Legislative Director for Disabled American Veterans. “While we believe it is important to continue researching how toxic exposures, PTSD and other rigors of military service may impact fertility, it is equally important that we provide timely reproductive support for those seeking to begin a family now. DAV is pleased to support the Veterans Infertility Treatment Act which would broaden the eligibility for assisted reproductive technology, and we thank Congresswoman Brownley for her continued efforts to address the issues impacting our nation’s veterans.”
The Veteran Infertility Treatment Act of 2021 will:
- Make infertility care, including Assisted Reproductive Technology (like IVF), part of the medical services provided by VA to any veteran and/or partner (if applicable) who needs infertility care to achieve a pregnancy
- Allow IVF for up to three successful pregnancies or six attempted cycles
- Repeal the ban on use of donated gametes and embryos
Read the full text about the bill, here.
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Issues: 117th Congress, Veterans' Affairs, Women Veterans Task Force