Menu
Close Close Icon
Press Release and Bulletin Teaser image

ASRM Decries Latest Cuts at CDC

Statement attributable to Sean Tipton, Chief Advocacy and Policy Officer


October 15, 2025 
For immediate release

Washington, DC“As details emerge regarding the latest staff cuts at the Center for Disease Control (CDC), it is increasingly clear that the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) leadership is waging war on women’s health, and its casualties range from fertility care to contraception.   

 
Earlier this year, the team that worked on Assisted Reproductive Technologies at the CDC was eliminated. It now appears nearly every employee of the Office of Population Affairs (OPA) has been sidelined by political leadership at HHS. The OPA oversees critical public health programs ranging from teen pregnancy prevention to embryo donation. These cuts will have a detrimental impact on America’s reproductive health.  
 
We are calling on Secretary Kennedy to immediately reverse these devastating cuts.” 


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 

For media inquiries regarding this press release contact:

Sean Tipton
ASRM Chief Advocacy and Policy Officer
E: stipton@asrm.org

Anna Hovey
Advocacy Engagement Specialist
E: ahovey@asrm.org 

J. Benjamin Younger Office of Public Affairs 
726 7th St. SE
Washington, DC 20003
Tel: (202) 863-2494

Press Releases

Check out these press releases as well
Press Release and Bulletin Teaser image

ASRM Reacts to First-Ever, Bipartisan, Standalone TRICARE Mandate Introduced in House

ASRM applauds the Bipartisan IVF for Military Families Act advancing TRICARE fertility coverage, backing military families’ access to IVF and related care.
Press Release and Bulletin Teaser image

Fertility Experts Publish New Research Highlighting Declining Fertility Rate, Causes and Global Impacts

Falling fertility rates could have detrimental impacts on global population, economic growth.
Press Release and Bulletin Teaser image

ASRM Ethics and Practice Committees Release New Report Concluding Polygenic Embryo Screening Is Not Ready for Clinical Use

New analysis finds that PGT-P lacks proven clinical utility and raises significant scientific and ethical concerns.
Press Release and Bulletin Teaser image

ASRM Responds to Speaker Johnson’s Stripping of Fertility Coverage for America’s Military Personnel

ASRM condemns Speaker Johnson’s removal of TRICARE fertility coverage from NDAA, urging action to restore IVF benefits for U.S. military families.

The News from ASRM

People holding their phone awaiting news

Latest News

An indispensable news digest for reproductive scientists, clinicians and allied health professionals. The Latest News posts are available to ASRM members in good standing only.

View the Latest News
Press Release and Bulletin Teaser image

ASRM Press Releases/Bulletins

ASRM Press Releases and Bulletins are published by ASRM's Office of Public Affairs to inform the press and Society members of important recent developments.

View the ASRM Press Releases

Topic Resources

View more on the topic of access to care
PR Bulletin Icon

ASRM Responds to Speaker Johnson’s Stripping of Fertility Coverage for America’s Military Personnel

ASRM condemns Speaker Johnson’s removal of TRICARE fertility coverage from NDAA, urging action to restore IVF benefits for U.S. military families. View the Press Release
Newspaper Icon

ASRM Inaugural INNOVATE

ASRM INNOVATE spotlighted the energy of innovation in reproductive medicine and how collaboration will shape the future of fertility and reproductive health. Read about INNOVATE
PR Bulletin Icon

Key Abstracts Presented at the ASRM 2025 Scientific Congress & Expo

ASRM 2025 reveals support for IVF access, wildfire smoke's fertility risks, and how insurance mandates improve outcomes in reproductive health care. View the Press Release
PR Bulletin Icon

American Society for Reproductive Medicine Reacts to White House Announcement on IVF Coverage

ASRM applauds the White House’s first steps toward IVF access but underscores that true equity demands mandatory insurance coverage. View the Press Release
Newspaper Icon

LGBTQ+ Researcher’s Dreams on hold after losing NIH Funding

Dr. Brent Monseur’s LGBTQ+ family-building research lost NIH funding. ASRM responds with emergency support to protect inclusive reproductive science. Learn more about Dr. Brent Monseur's research
Advocacy Icon

Advocacy in Action: June 2025

A summary of federal and state legislation, and highlighting advocacy and outreach efforts of our members. Read about Advocacy in Action
Advocacy Icon

Assisted Reproductive Technology (ART) Oversight: Lessons for the United States from Abroad

A comprehensive analysis of global Assisted Reproductive Technology (ART) regulations, comparing policies, accessibility, and ethical considerations in various countries. View the advocacy resource
Advocacy Icon

ASRM Announces FY25 Patient Advocacy Grant Awardees

Congratulations to the Newest Grant Recipients! View more information about the patient advocacy grant
Advocacy Icon

What support for IVF looks like

Bipartisan support for IVF, that is responsible for the birth of over 2% of all babies born in the USA each year, will ensure that families continue to grow. View the advocacy resource
Advocacy Icon

It takes more than one

Why IVF patients often need multiple embryos to have a baby View the advocacy resource
Advocacy Icon

Oversight of IVF in the US

In the US, medical care is regulated by a complex and comprehensive network of federal and state regulations and professional oversight. View the advocacy resource
Document Icon

Ethical considerations for telemedical delivery of fertility care: an Ethics Committee opinion (2024)

Telemedicine has the potential to increase access to and decrease the cost of care. View the Committee Opinion
Document Icon

Cross-border reproductive care: an Ethics Committee opinion (2022)

Cross-border reproductive care is a growing worldwide phenomenon, raising questions about why assisted reproductive technology patients travel for care. View the Ethics Committee Document
Document Icon

Reproductive and infertility care in times of public health crises: an Ethics Committee opinion (2022)

Public health crises often require a framework shift in which patient autonomy is balanced with the need to safeguard the health of the community.  View the Committee opinion
Document Icon

Access to fertility treatment irrespective of marital status, sexual orientation, or gender identity: an Ethics Committee opinion (2021)

Individuals and couples should have access to fertility services irrespective of marital status, sexual orientation, or gender identity. View the Committee Opinion
Document Icon

Disparities in access to effective treatment for infertility in the United States: an Ethics Committee opinion (2021)

In the United States, economic, racial, ethnic, geographic, and other disparities prevent access to fertility treatment and affect treatment outcomes. View the Committee Opinion
Membership Icon

Access to Care Special Interest Group (ATCSIG)

The Access To Care Special Interest Group's purpose is to foster the growth of knowledge among the ASRM membership and the medical community regarding the unmet needs that exist today in access to reproductive care Learn more about the Special Interest Group
Academy Icon

Exploring Access to Care for Marginalized Communities Course

Enhance your skills and contribute to reducing healthcare disparities for marginalized communities. Learn more about the Exploring Access to Care for Marginalized Communities Course
Advocacy Icon

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 grant