Tue Apr 01 19:40:00 UTC 2025: **Military IVF Access Bill Reintroduced in Congress**
WASHINGTON— Democrats are renewing their push to expand in vitro fertilization (IVF) access for military service members. Sens. Tammy Duckworth and Rep. Sara Jacobs have introduced a bill requiring the Department of Defense’s TRICARE healthcare program to fund IVF for service members, mirroring the coverage afforded to members of Congress.
The legislation would eliminate the current requirement that service members prove infertility is service-related, a process lawmakers describe as often insurmountable. Rep. Jacobs stated the bill could be “life-changing” for service members facing the difficult choice between military service and starting a family. The lack of IVF coverage, she argues, forces many to choose between paying tens of thousands of dollars out-of-pocket, foregoing children, or leaving the military.
Sen. Duckworth, an Iraq War veteran who used IVF herself, highlights the potential impact on military readiness. The bill also seeks parity with congressional IVF coverage, a point emphasized by both lawmakers.
Previous attempts to include this provision in the National Defense Authorization Act failed, with Republican opposition citing concerns over cost and potential implications for gene editing or cloning. This new bill is a standalone measure, requiring a separate vote. While no Republicans have yet signed on, the lawmakers are citing President Trump’s past public support for IVF as a potential avenue for bipartisan support. Trump has repeatedly voiced his strong support for IVF, even referring to himself as the “fertilization president.”
The bill’s fate remains uncertain. Passage as a standalone bill would require unanimous Republican support in the Senate, while inclusion in other legislation remains a possibility.
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