We are thrilled that so many elected officials have stated their support for IVF since the Alabama Supreme Court ruled in LePage v Mobile Infirmary Clinic, Inc. Infertility cuts across gender, race, sexuality, and socioeconomic status. Bipartisan support for this essential medical therapy that is responsible for the birth of over 2% of all babies born in the USA each year¹ will ensure that families continue to grow across our nation.
Too many individuals in the United States do not have comprehensive fertility insurance. Too many insurance plans don’t include coverage for IVF, leaving many hopeful parents without access to care.
Shockingly, this includes the federal government.
Because of the dearth of federal coverage, some states mandate insurance coverage for fertility services. Fourteen states have enacted legislation requiring health insurance coverage to include IVF. Seventeen have enacted mandates to cover sperm and egg freezing to patients facing medical therapies which could impact their fertility. However, because of the complex federal laws around insurance coverage, many of these mandates only apply to a small percentage of those who have health insurance. The federal government must act to ensure access to comprehensive fertility care across the country.
For almost a century, the American Society for Reproductive Medicine (ASRM) has been the global leader in multidisciplinary reproductive medicine research, ethical practice, and education. ASRM impacts reproductive care and science worldwide by creating funding opportunities for advancing reproduction research and discovery, by providing evidence-based education and public health information, and by advocating for reproductive health care professionals and the patients they serve. With members in more than 100 countries, the Society is headquartered in Washington, DC, with additional operations in Birmingham, AL. www.asrm.org | publicaffairs@asrm.org
¹ART Success Rates, CDC, 2024.
Who has stated support for IVF?
Lawmakers on both sides of the aisle have shared their positive opinions of IVF. House Speaker Mike Johnson (R-LA) called IVF “something we ought to protect and preserve” at this year’s Republican Issues Conference. Sen. Tammy Duckworth (D-IL) shared that her family’s use of IVF is the reason she “gets to experience the chaos and the beauty, the stress and the joy, that is motherhood.” Sen. Tim Kaine (D-VA) said that “patients have a right to access IVF services or other reproductive technologies,” and “providers have a right to provide those services and technologies." Sen. Marsha Blackburn (R-TN) said, “I am for IVF, and I know there are many pushing for this to be more completely covered via insurance. I think that’s a good thing.”How can lawmakers support IVF?
There are important steps policymakers can take to support pro-family medical treatments. The first and most important step is to cosponsor legislation that would increase insurance coverage for IVF.Too many individuals in the United States do not have comprehensive fertility insurance. Too many insurance plans don’t include coverage for IVF, leaving many hopeful parents without access to care.
Shockingly, this includes the federal government.
- Only some of the health insurance plans available to federal employees include coverage for IVF services.
- Service members and veterans only have very limited access to infertility care that is contingent on being able to prove that their infertility is service-related.
- Those who serve our country in the military and in the civilian workforce deserve access to the best medical care available. This must include access to comprehensive fertility services like IVF.
We call upon Congress and the Biden Administration to mandate the inclusion of IVF in all insurance plans for all federal employees, both military and civilian.
Because of the dearth of federal coverage, some states mandate insurance coverage for fertility services. Fourteen states have enacted legislation requiring health insurance coverage to include IVF. Seventeen have enacted mandates to cover sperm and egg freezing to patients facing medical therapies which could impact their fertility. However, because of the complex federal laws around insurance coverage, many of these mandates only apply to a small percentage of those who have health insurance. The federal government must act to ensure access to comprehensive fertility care across the country.What you can do:
- Support the following legislation that requires comprehensive health insurance access:
- Access to Infertility Treatment and Care Act (S.2386 / H.R.4731)
- Equal Access to Reproductive Care Act (H.R.4391)
- Family Building FEHB Fairness Act (S.1262 / H.R.2828)
- The Comprehensive Cancer Survivorship Act (H.R.4363)
- Veteran Families Health Services Act of 2023 (S.2801 / H.R.5492)
- Veterans Infertility Treatment Act (H.R.544)
- Support legislation that establishes a federal right to access ART services including IVF:
- Access to Family Building Act (S.3612 / H.R.7056)
For almost a century, the American Society for Reproductive Medicine (ASRM) has been the global leader in multidisciplinary reproductive medicine research, ethical practice, and education. ASRM impacts reproductive care and science worldwide by creating funding opportunities for advancing reproduction research and discovery, by providing evidence-based education and public health information, and by advocating for reproductive health care professionals and the patients they serve. With members in more than 100 countries, the Society is headquartered in Washington, DC, with additional operations in Birmingham, AL. www.asrm.org | publicaffairs@asrm.org
¹ART Success Rates, CDC, 2024.
More Advocacy Resources
See What ASRM Is Doing
ASRM's Office of Public Affairs coordinates advocacy efforts to promote policies that support reproductive health and rights.
The ASRM Center For Policy And Leadership
The ASRM Center for Policy and Leadership (CPL), established in 2020, builds on ASRM’s longstanding role as a leading policy voice on Capitol Hill and in state capitals.
How You Can Take Action
Learn to advocate on the federal state and local level. The importance of your involvement in the lobbying process, especially at the local level, has never been greater.
Topic Resources
View more on the topic of advocacy
2024 Advocacy Activities Report
View the letters, amicus briefs, and sign-ons that ASRM has submitted to protect reproductive care. View the activities
Advocacy in Action: April 2024
A summary of federal and state legislation, and highlighting advocacy and outreach efforts of our members. Read about Advocacy in Action
Get to Know the Members of the 2024 PRIMED Scholars Cohort
Designed for ASRM members passionate about making a real impact, PRIMED offers a one-of-a-kind opportunity to become trailblazers. Learn more about the 2024 PRIMED Scholars Cohort
Leave Your Mark! NIAW April 21-27
National Infertility Awareness Week Action Round-Up Click here to leave your mark during NIAW2024
ASRM Today: ASRM Policy Matters: Post-Alabama IVF decision advocacy roundup with Jessie Losch
Jessie Losch, ASRM Government Affairs Manager, updates ASRM Today on the advocacy efforts underway post the Alabama Supreme Court decision. Listen to the Episode
Aileen Portugal, MD, St. Louis, MO
Meet Aileen Portugal, MD, graduated from the University of California San Diego with a degree in biochemistry and worked as a researcher for several years. Learn more about Aileen Portugal, MD
Nicole Ulrich, MD, New Orleans, LA
Meet Nicole Ulrich, MD, who attended Tulane University and then trained in Obstetrics/Gynecology at the Ochsner Clinic Foundation. Learn more about Nicole Ulrich, MD
INTRODUCING THE 2024 PRIMED SCHOLARS COHORT
Meet Rachel Whynott, MD, FACOG, a double board-certified reproductive endocrinology and infertility subspecialist. Learn more about Rachel Whynott, MD
A Message from the Office of Public Affairs
ASRM is already pushing for legislation in Congress and the states to protect IVF. It requires resources to analyze and advocate for or against these bills. Help ASRM Protect IVF
ASRM Files Request for Rehearing with Alabama Supreme Court
On Friday, March 1, the appellees in this case filed a request for rehearing with the Alabama Supreme Court. Read about the Amicus Brief
Update on ASRM's Efforts to Protect IVF
As the situation in Alabama following LePage v Mobile Infirmary, Inc. continues to quickly evolve, we want to ensure you stay apprised of ASRM’s efforts. Read about Advocacy in Action
Advocacy in Action: February 2024
A summary of federal and state legislation, and highlighting advocacy and outreach efforts of our members. Read about Advocacy in Action
ASRM's CPL Announces Selections for the 2024 Cohort of the PRIMED Scholars Advocacy Program
We were inundated with interest in this program from across ASRM’s membership and are excited to welcome the members of this year’s cohort. Read the press release
Advocacy in Action: January 2024
A summary of federal and state legislation, and highlighting advocacy and outreach efforts of our members. Read about Advocacy in Action
ASRM Today: Policy Matters: Policy Roundup
On this episode of Policy Matters the ASRM Government Affairs Office brings us up to date on the past year of policy news and advocacy. Listen to the Episode
Advocacy in Action: December 2023
A summary of federal and state legislation, and highlighting advocacy and outreach efforts of our members. Read about Advocacy in Action
2023 Advocacy Activities Report
View the letters, amicus briefs, and sign-ons that ASRM has submitted to protect reproductive care. View the activities
It takes more than one
Why IVF patients often need multiple embryos to have a baby View the advocacy resource
Advocacy Resources
ASRM has prepared resources to help explain and advocate for reproductive rights and the continuation of in vitro fertilization and other fertility treatments. View the advocacy resources
Patient Advocacy Grant
The ASRM Patient Advocacy Grants Program awards funds to patient advocacy organizations to support advocacy efforts and educational programs for patients. View more information about the patient advocacy grantTopic Resources
View more on reproductive rights
Changes Ahead: Abortion Policy Proposals Affecting Reproductive Medicine
In January 2023, lawmakers reconvened for the first legislative sessions since the Supreme Court’s decision in Dobbs v. Jackson Women’s Health Org. View the Report
States' Abortion Laws Potential Implications for Reproductive Medicine
This report is the second in a series from the ASRM Center for Policy and Leadership (CPL), a non-partisan think tank. View the Report
The Potential Impact of States’ Abortion Trigger Laws on Reproductive Medicine
In thirteen states, so-called “trigger” laws have and are set to take effect which ban or severely restrict abortion care. View the Report
ASRM Advocacy
The U.S. Supreme Court’s opinion in Dobbs v. Jackson Women’s Health Organization overturned the nearly 50-year precedent set by Roe v. Wade. See what ASRM is advocating
