As reproductive and fertility issues take center stage in the Trump administration, Rep. Sara Jacobs joined Sen. Tammy Duckworth to introduce the IVF for Military Families Act, which would require TRICARE to cover infertility diagnosis and treatment.
Rep. Rick Larsen and Sen. Patty Murray also introduced the bill, which would include coverage for active duty service members and their dependents, as well as members of Congress and their staff.
“For too many service members, the lack of TRICARE coverage of IVF has left them with only a few choices: beat the odds and prove that their infertility is directly related to their service, pay tens of thousands of dollars out-of-pocket for a chance at a family, forgo having children, or leave the military. This is wrong,” Jacobs said in a statement.
“To my colleagues: We now have access to this level of health care coverage, and we shouldn’t deny that same standard to those who wear our country’s uniform. And to President Trump: calling yourself the father of IVF is meaningless — take some action and support our bill.”
Congressional members and staff who obtain health insurance through the DC Health Exchange have access to plans that include coverage for infertility diagnosis and treatment, including IVF and standard fertility preservation services.
Meanwhile, TRICARE coverage currently only covers fertility services for those who can prove a service connection to injury or illness.
“In practice, this leaves about a quarter of service members and spouses who report infertility to pay tens of thousands of dollars in out-of-pocket costs for fertility treatment,” Jacobs’ office said in a statement.
“Passing the IVF for Military Families Act would strengthen recruitment, retention, and readiness efforts and ensure that service members can access the family-building services they deserve.”
A similar effort was stripped from a compromise defense bill passed late last year.
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