Larsen Bill Would Help Veterans With Disabilities Start Families

Statement

Veterans who sustained injuries during their military service that prevent them from conceiving children will get access to advanced fertility treatments and adoption assistance if Congress passes a bill announced today by Rep. Rick Larsen, WA-02. Larsen announced the bill in advance of Veterans Day.

The Women Veterans and Families Health Services Act of 2015 would give veterans with service-connected disabilities access to in vitro fertilization and adoption assistance. A recent study by the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) found that 15.8 percent of female and 13.8 percent of male Iraq and Afghanistan veterans report they are not able to conceive children. The bill would also expand services specifically designed for the care of women veterans.

"Veterans who finished their service to our country unable to conceive children because of injuries should get the care and support they need to start a family. The challenges that veterans with service-connected disabilities face are already enormous. They should not have to empty out their bank accounts to achieve their dreams of starting a family. This bill addresses one of the most common disabilities associated with service in combat by giving veterans access to the reproductive health care and family planning options they need," Larsen said.

The Department of Defense already covers in vitro fertilization for active duty service members and retirees, but the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) does not provide the coverage for veterans.

"This bill also improves VA services for women veterans," Larsen added. "As more women serve in combat roles, these improvements are all the more necessary to make sure the VA is meeting the needs of all our veterans."

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