Democrats renew push to expand IVF access for military service members

[BumRushDaShow]

Source: ABC News

April 1, 2025, 6:00 AM


Congressional Democrats are renewing their push to expand in vitro fertilization access for military service members by introducing legislation that would require the Department of Defense's health care program to fund access to IVF for military service members.

The legislative effort, being led in the Senate by Democratic Sen. Tammy Duckworth and in the House by Democratic Rep. Sara Jacobs, would bring IVF access afforded to military service members in parity with the services available to members of Congress. It would also modify current requirements that service members prove that their infertility challenges are directly connected to service, a barrier that the lawmakers say is often cumbersome or impossible to overcome.

The legislation, Jacobs said in an exclusive interview with ABC News, could be "life-changing" for military service members who are often forced to choose between continuing their military service and starting a family.

"I think it will be huge. We know so many military families are struggling to make ends meet as it is, and are facing really significant fertility challenges. It would be life-changing," Jacobs told ABC News. "We shouldn't make them choose between serving our country and building their families."

Read more: https://abcnews.go.com/Politics/democrats-renew-push-expand-ivf-access-military-service/story?id=120264048

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Link to Rep. Sara Jacobs PRESS RELEASE - Rep. Sara Jacobs, Sen. Tammy Duckworth Introduce IVF for Military Families Act

[oldmanlynn]

1. While our country is on fire and burning to the ground, this is the kind of stuff we need to put on the back burner

This is why some people say the Democratic Party is out of touch because while the house is on fire and everything‘s being looted, we’re gonna go pursue IVF for military families.

[BumRushDaShow]

2. They are the "Legislative Branch"

and this is what they do. Regardless of whether it gets passed or not, they are attempting to address the needs of a constituency and at some point, should Democrats retake control of Congress, bills like this would be ready to go for a vote and passage.

You also have options such as the language that they are drafting, could potentially be inserted into "must pass" bills like the annual National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA) and passed that way.