OBGYN Rep. Kelly Morrison Introduces Bipartisan Bill to Expand IVF Access for Veterans

PLYMOUTH, MN - U.S. Representative Kelly Morrison, an OBGYN for more than 20 years, is leading the effort to expand infertility treatment for veterans. Today, she is announcing her new bipartisan bill, the Warrior Infertility Act, which will expand access to infertility treatment for veterans by making infertility a presumptive condition for toxic exposure under the PACT Act. The bill is endorsed by more than a dozen veterans service organizations and medical advocacy groups.

Reports have shown that active-duty women struggle with infertility at three times the rate of civilian women. Nearly 40% of active-duty women report fertility problems, but many veterans are not able to access the reproductive health care that they need. Growing research suggests a link between infertility and toxic exposure from military service.

The Honoring our PACT Act was a landmark bill that expanded VA health care and benefits for veterans who were exposed to burn pits and other toxins during their military service. The PACT Act established more than 20 "presumptive conditions" for toxic exposure, meaning that millions of Vietnam, Gulf War, and Post-9/11 veterans who suffer from these conditions linked to toxic exposure no longer need to prove that their injuries resulted from their service.

Under current regulations, veterans do not receive coverage for IVF unless they can prove their fertility issues are a direct result of an injury on active duty, which is a difficult and time-consuming process. By making infertility a presumptive condition under the PACT Act, the Warrior Infertility Act will remove a burdensome step to accessing fertility care, significantly expanding IVF and other fertility treatments for veterans who wish to grow their families.

An OB-GYN for more than 20 years and a member of the House Veterans' Affairs Committee, Representative Morrison is committed to expanding health care access to veterans and making sure veterans get the care and treatment they have earned.

"When service members put their lives on the line for our country, it's our duty to make sure they're supported when they come home. That includes essential and life-changing reproductive health care. Access and coverage of IVF continues to be out of reach for far too many veterans," said Congresswoman Kelly Morrison. "Service members are three times more likely to struggle with infertility, but still face burdensome hurdles to getting the treatment that they need. As an OBGYN, I have cared for many patients with infertility and know how important it is that patients be able to access the treatment they need to grow their family. Recognizing infertility as a service-connected condition will ensure that our veterans do not fall through the cracks."

This bill is co-led by Republican Representative Jay Obernolte (CA-23) and endorsed by the American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists, American Legion, American Society for Reproductive Medicine, AMVETS, Disabled American Veterans, Elizabeth Dole Foundation, Military Officers Association of America, Minority Veterans of America, National Association of County Veteran Service Officers, National Guard Association of the United States, National Military Family Association, Service Women's Action Network, Tragedy Assistance Program for Survivors, Veterans of Foreign Wars, and Women Veterans ROCK!.

"For too many veterans, exposure to toxic substances during military service can have lasting effects on their health, including their ability to build a family. The Warrior Infertility Act helps remove unnecessary barriers by recognizing infertility as a presumptive service-connected condition for those exposed. The American College of Obstetricians & Gynecologists supports this important inclusion to ensure veterans can access the medical care they may need to start and grow their families," said President of the American College of Obstetricians & Gynecologists Steven J. Fleischman, MD, MBA, FACOG.

"The American Legion supports H.R. 7841 - the Warrior Infertility Act. Veterans who have sacrificed for this country should not face barriers when trying to start or grow their families," said American Legion Executive Director Mario Marquez. "The Warrior Infertility Act helps ensure that veterans whose reproductive health was impacted by their service can access the care and support they deserve through the Department of Veterans Affairs. The American Legion thanks Dr. Morrison for her leadership on this issue and we look forward to its swift passage."

"It is well-established that those who have served in the military face higher rates of infertility than the general public, and it is no coincidence there is a correlation with occupational hazards, including toxic exposures," said American Society for Reproductive Medicine Chief Advocacy and Policy Officer Sean Tipton. "While the VA is currently authorized to cover fertility treatments for veterans with a service-connected disability, the burden of proving nexus between military service and infertility unfairly falls on the men and women who sacrificed for our country. We thank and applaud Rep. Morrison for recognizing the enormous barrier this creates for accessing fertility care and for taking action to empower the VA to go beyond just a mere recognition of the link between toxins and reproductive health. Our veterans have sacrificed so much to protect our country - but they should not also have to sacrifice their hopes and dreams of building families."

"The risks taken by those in uniform last far longer than their time in service," said President and CEO of the Military Officers Association of America Lt. Gen. Brian Kelly, USAF (Ret). "The Warrior Infertility Act recognizes one of these risks - how exposure to toxins can create problems for those looking to build a family. MOAA thanks Reps. Morrison and Obernolte for this commonsense legislation that will allow these warriors to receive the support and care they've earned."

"NACVSO applauds Rep. Kelly Morrison's introduction of the Warrior Infertility Act. This legislation recognizes infertility as a service-connected condition for those veterans who deployed overseas and were exposed to burn pits and other environmental toxins. This is an important first step toward acknowledging the total impact that toxic exposures have on our warrior's long-term reproductive health. As a veteran myself that deployed to Iraq and was exposed to burn pits, I am grateful for congressional efforts like these to help recognize the total cost of war that continues well after service members take off their uniforms," said National Association of County Veteran Service Officers Women Veterans Representative Jenna Schmidtke.

"For too many veterans, building or growing their families is impossible due to infertility caused by toxic exposure," said CEO of the National Military Family Association Besa Pinchotti. "Recognizing infertility as a presumptive condition under the PACT Act is long overdue. We're grateful to Rep. Morrison for having military families' backs."

"The Tragedy Assistance Program for Survivors (TAPS) is grateful to Congresswoman Morrison and Representatives Obernolte, Brownley, Conaway and McGarvey for introducing the Warrior Infertility Act. Including infertility as a presumptive condition under the PACT Act will ensure our nation's veterans, exposed to a wide range of toxins during military service, receive the care and benefits they have earned and deserve," said TAPS President and Founder Bonnie Carroll.

"Military service should never cost someone the chance to build a family. The Warrior Infertility Act helps ensure veterans harmed by toxic exposures are not left navigating infertility alone or paying the price for their service," said Service Women's Action Network Policy Director Rita Graham. "Recognizing infertility as a service-related condition is about fairness, accountability, and honoring the sacrifices made by those who served."

"The VFW supports the Warrior Infertility Act, which would recognize infertility as a presumptive condition related to toxic exposures during military service. Veterans should not bear the burden of proving complex medical links between hazardous exposures and reproductive health conditions years after service. Establishing this connection would improve access to VA benefits and care while acknowledging the health impact long term. The VFW thanks Representative Morrison for introducing this important legislation and looks forward to its swift passage into law," said VFW National Legislative Service Associate Director Meggan Coleman.

"For far too many veterans, the lasting impact of toxic exposure includes reproductive health challenges that have gone unrecognized and unsupported," said Deborah Harmon-Pugh, President and National Campaign Chair of Women Veterans ROCK! and Chair of the Women Veterans Public Policy Delegation on Capitol Hill. "The Warrior Infertility Act is an important step toward ensuring that veterans who experience infertility linked to their military service receive the recognition, care, and benefits they have earned through their sacrifice. We proudly endorse this legislation as a vital step forward for America's veterans and military families."

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