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A bill introduced last week would provide expanded access to veterans seeking medical treatment for infertility.
Sponsored by Rep. Kelly Morrison, D-Minn., and Rep. Jay Obernolte, R-Calif., The Warrior Infertility Act would classify infertility as a “presumptive condition” for toxic exposure under the PACT Act, greatly streamlining the process to obtain medical care.
The 2022 PACT Act established that health complications resulting from toxic exposure must be recognized and treated as service-connected conditions. It was named after Ohio Army National Soldier Sgt. First Class Heath Robinson, who served in Iraq and Kosovo.
“Service members are three times more likely to struggle with infertility, but still face burdensome hurdles to getting the treatment that they need,” said Rep. Morrison, who has been an OBGYN for two decades.
According to a 2018 survey by the Service Women’s Action Network, women veterans also report substantially higher infertility rates than their civilian counterparts; approximately 15.8% versus 7.8%, reports SWAN.
A 2022 RAND Institute report found 12.4% of active-duty service women said a doctor had diagnosed them with non-age-related infertility.
“Our servicemembers accept extraordinary risks in defense of our nation, including exposure to toxins that can have lasting effects on their health and their ability to have a family,” said retired Maj. Gen. Francis M. McGinn, the NGAUS president.
“The Warrior Infertility Act recognizes infertility as a potential consequence of toxic exposure and ensures affected veterans receive the care and support they deserve,” he added.
Currently, to be eligible for IVF or assistive reproductive technology, a veteran “must have a [veterans benefits administration] VBA-adjudicated service-connected disability or treatment of a VBA-adjudicated service-connected disability that is causally related to their infertility. This means that the VBA adjudicated service-connected disability, or its treatment, caused the infertility,” says the VA website.
If the H.R. 7841 were to pass, veterans would not be required to prove their infertility was caused by their service, only that they meet the service eligibility requirements.
The cost of obtaining infertility treatment also presents a substantial barrier to building a family.
Servicemembers seeking treatment from civilian health care providers must pay out-of-pocket for this care. And that can be costly.
IVF treatment at Walter Reed Medical Center can cost from $4,800 to $7,000, according to a 2020 Congressional Research Report.
The measure is supported by a coalition of military and veterans groups, including the National Military Family Association, VFW, and Tragedy Assistance Program for Survivors (TAPS).
—By Jennifer Hickey
