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

December 17, 2025
For immediate release

Washington, DC—ASRM applauds the introduction of the Bipartisan IVF for Military Families Act. This significant development should be viewed as a rapid and sharp rebuke of House Speaker Mike Johnson (R-LA), who unilaterally stripped TRICARE coverage for the brave men and women who serve our country from the Fiscal Year 2026 (FY26) National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA). 
 
“The ink on the final FY26 NDAA is still drying, and the bill has yet to be signed into law,” observed American Society for Reproductive Medicine (ASRM) Chief Advocacy & Policy Officer Sean Tipton. “And yet, even in one of the most polarized and partisan political environments we have seen in decades, House Democrats and Republicans have rapidly come together with one voice to condemn the Speaker’s actions and stand up for the members of the active duty military who desire to both serve their country and achieve their dreams of building a family.”  
 
The Bipartisan IVF for Military Families Act is the first-ever, standalone, bipartisan bill to provide comprehensive fertility care for military families under TRICARE, the federal health care program for servicemembers and their families. Nearly identical to the language included in the version of the NDAA that passed the House with overwhelming bipartisan support in September, the new legislation requires TRICARE coverage for fertility-related care, including IVF, cryopreservation of reproductive genetic materials, medications, and fertility treatment coordination, among other services. Notably, the IVF coverage directed by the bill achieves parity with the IVF benefits available to Members of Congress and their staff. 
 
“We commend Representatives Sara Jacobs (D-CA), Nick LaLota (R-NY), Chrissy Houlahan (D-PA), and Jen Kiggans (R-VA) for their outstanding leadership on the Bipartisan IVF for Military Families Act,” continued Tipton. “In an era where Members of Congress frequently encounter threats of political retribution for bucking party leadership, it is a breath of fresh air to engage with these lawmakers who demonstrate what it means to serve with integrity and do the right thing. We thank this group of bipartisan champions for their work to ensure that our military families will have guaranteed access to IVF and other family building treatments, and ASRM looks forward to fighting alongside them to secure enactment of the Bipartisan IVF for Military Families Act as soon as possible.” 
 
Many ASRM members have previously served in uniform, and others have years of experience providing fertility care to military families. Too often, ASRM members report that the biggest obstacle to caring for these patients is knowing that IVF is the best treatment option and simultaneously acknowledging that this family building pathway is financially out of reach because of barriers under TRICARE. The absence of coverage is deeply unjust considering the sacrifices military families endure and the elevated infertility rates among service members due to job-related factors.