RESOLVE: The National Infertility Association Applauds Senator Murrays Introduction of the Women Veterans and …

McLean, VA (PRWEB) February 11, 2015

RESOLVE: The National Infertility Association applauds U.S. Senator Patty Murrays (D-WA) introduction of a bill that will allow the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) and the Department of Defense (DoD) to provide reproductive services, such as in vitro fertilization (IVF), to service members, veterans, and their families who have suffered catastrophic wounds of war that prevent them from starting families. The Women Veterans and Families Health Services Act of 2015 would expand the current fertility services offered to service members and their families by DoD, and end the ban on in vitro fertilization services at the VA.

No one living with infertility should also have to face the burden of not being able to afford treatment, especially our veterans, said Barbara Collura, President/CEO, RESOLVE: The National Infertility Association. Those who put their own lives at risk and incur an injury that impacts their fertility need the resources to be able to have a family. A persons reproductive health, and treatment for it, is just as important as other health conditions.

Though DoD can provide IVF treatment, too many service members are excluded from eligibility for this and other treatments. The VA is completely barred from providing IVF services because of an outdated law. Senator Murrays bill would expand VA and DoDs current fertility treatment and counseling offerings, and empower severely injured service members and veterans to start families when the time is right for them. The bill would lift VAs assisted reproductive technology (ART) ban (of which IVF is the most popular and successful treatment) and expand ART treatments beyond DoDs current policy limitations. Senator Murrays bill would also provide access to fertility treatment for spouses, allow VA to offer adoption assistance, and make permanent the highly successful child care pilot program in VA.

RESOLVE is prepared to assist Senator Murray, Members of Congress, and the Department of Veterans Affairs in providing the necessary support and information to veterans who pursue care for their infertility. RESOLVE will be advocating for the passage of the Women Veterans and Families Health Services Act during its Advocacy Day on May 14, 2015. For more information about RESOLVEs advocacy work, visit http://www.resolve.org/advocacyday.

About RESOLVE: The National Infertility Association: Established in 1974, RESOLVE: The National Infertility Association is a non-profit organization with the only established, nationwide network mandated to promote reproductive health and to ensure equal access to all family building options for men and women experiencing infertility or other reproductive disorders. One in eight U.S. couples of childbearing age is diagnosed with infertility. RESOLVE addresses this public health issue by providing community to these women and men, connecting them with others who can help, empowering them to find resolution and giving voice to their demands for access to all family building options. For more information, visit http://www.RESOLVE.org.

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RESOLVE: The National Infertility Association Applauds Senator Murrays Introduction of the Women Veterans and ...