Legislation introduced Feb. 4 in Congress supports funding for in vitro fertilization services for disabled military veterans.
The Women Veterans and Families Health Services Act was introduced in the House by Rep. Rick Larsen, D-Wash, a senior member of the House Armed Services Committee, with nine Democrats from Connecticut, Delaware, Illinois, New York, Ohio, Oregon, Texas and Washington state as co-sponsors. A companion bill by Sen. Patty Murray, D-Wash, has been introduced in the Senate.
Such services are not currently available, due to a 1992 law banning the Department of Veterans Affairs from providing such funds.
The legislation would also expand the fertility options available to service members through the Defense Department, to give access to fertility treatment for spouses, allow the VA to provide adoption assistance and make VA’s successful child care pilot program permanent.
