The Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) and the Department of Defense (DOD) currently offer fertility counseling and other services for servicemembers and veterans experiencing infertility. Although the VA provides a range of assisted reproductive technologies for veterans living with infertility, a veteran is required to have a service-connected disability that results in infertility to be eligible for in vitro fertilization (IVF).  VA’s narrow eligibility criteria are creating barriers for veterans struggling with infertility, and for many veterans, IVF is the last hope for them to build a family.

The Veteran Families Health Services Act (H.R. 5492/S. 2801) seeks to alleviate issues servicemembers and veterans face when trying to receive fertility treatment. The bill would expand VA and DOD fertility treatments and ensure they offer comprehensive family-building assistance. If passed, all enrolled veterans using VA medical benefits would be eligible to access IVF services.  Additionally, the bill creates a cryopreservation pilot program for servicemembers prior to deployment, allowing them the opportunity to use IVF in the event they later incur an illness or injury. The bill would also increase adoption assistance for a veteran who has a proven infertility diagnosis, regardless of service connection. Lastly, the bill allows the VA and DOD to offer maternal health care in a state where surrogacy is legal, and it is the only option for family building.  

A recent expansion of infertility assistance at VA and DOD removed the prohibition of donated genetic material and limitations based on marital status. The Veteran Families Health Services Act would codify that expansion, ensuring the services remain available. 

PVA Position:

Congress should pass the Veteran Families Health Services Act (H.R. 5492/S. 2801) to guarantee access to fertility services and increased adoption assistance for veterans who are trying to build a family.