Legislation has been introduced by U.S. Senator Patty Murray, D-WA, that would end the ban on in vitro fertilization (IVF) services at Veteran’s Administration in order to help severely wounded veterans start families. The Women Veterans and Other Health Care Improvement Act of 2013 has already cleared the Senate Veterans Affairs Committee.
Late last year, Senator Murray was able to pass the bill through the U.S. Senate but the bill failed to move in the House of Representatives in time to make its way to the President’s desk.
“There is absolutely no reason that this bill should not move quickly to the President’s desk,” said Senator Murray. “It was passed unanimously in the Senate, and the House has a responsibility to our most seriously wounded veterans and their spouses to act. This is about giving veterans who have sacrificed everything, every option we have to help them fulfill the simple dream of starting a family. It says that we are not turning our back on the catastrophic reproductive wounds that have become a signature of these wars. It says to all those brave men and women that didn’t ask questions when they were put in harm’s way that we won’t let politics get in the way of our commitment to you. We owe them nothing less.”
Department of Defense data show that between 2003 and 2012 nearly 2000 servicemembers have suffered reproductive and urinary tract trauma. The reliance on foot patrols in Afghanistan and the prevalence of improvised explosive devices has left servicemembers far more susceptible to these injuries. In fact, this data show a clear increase in injuries of this nature in recent years.
Veterans who have severe reproductive and urinary tract injuries and spinal cord injuries often need highly specialized treatments and procedures like IVF to conceive. However, under current law, IVF is expressly excluded from fertility services that are provided by the VA to veterans or their spouses. This is a significant barrier for veterans with spinal injuries and genital and urinary tract injuries and as a result they have to seek care outside of the VA.
DOD currently provides access to IVF services under the Tricare program and coverage for IVF and other fertility treatments at no charge to severely combat wounded servicemembers. Senator Murray’s bill would provide veterans with the same access.
Murray’s bill also will give VA permanent authority to offer child care programs at hospitals and Vet Centers for veterans seeking care, and improve outreach to women veterans.