Duckworth, Murray, Booker, Schumer Reignite Push to Help Veterans Struggling with Infertility Grow Their Families

[WASHINGTON, D.C.] – Combat Veteran and U.S. Senator Tammy Duckworth (D-IL) joined U.S. Senators Patty Murray (D-WA), Cory Booker (D-NJ) and Chuck Schumer (D-NY) in reintroducing legislation to help make it easier for our Veterans who struggle with infertility to build their families. TheirVeteran Families Health Services Act of 2025would expand the fertility treatments and family-building services that are covered under servicemembers’ and Veterans’ health care to include—among other things—in vitro fertilization (IVF) and adoption assistance for servicemembers and Veterans who are unable to conceive without assistance and the option for individuals to freeze their eggs or sperm ahead of deployment to a combat zone. This legislation was previously included as part of Senator Duckworth’sRight to IVF Act, which Senate Republicans blocked notonce, buttwicelast year.
“After all the tremendous sacrifices our brave women and men in uniform make, we should be doing everything we can to help our Veterans fulfill their dreams of building a family,”said Duckworth.“I wouldn’t be a mother today without the miracle of IVF, which is one reason why I’m proud to be introducing this important bill that would help modernize our healthcare systems and expand fertility treatments so we can help ensure our servicemembers and Veterans receive the care they deserve.”

Veterans and servicemembersexperience higher rates of infertilitythan civilians and encounter restrictive laws and policies before they can access IVF services.

TheVeteran Families Health Services Act of 2025would expand VA and DoD’s current fertility treatment and counseling offerings in a major way and empower servicemembers and Veterans to start or grow their families when the time is right for them. Specifically, the legislation would:
Along with Duckworth, Murray, Booker and Schumer, the legislation is cosponsored by U.S. Senators Richard Blumenthal (D-CT), Jeff Merkley (D-OR), Jacky Rosen (D-NV), Elizabeth Warren (D-MA), Bernie Sanders (I-VT), Amy Klobuchar (D-MN), Jeanne Shaheen (D-NH), John Hickenlooper (D-CO), Sheldon Whitehouse (D-RI), Angus King (I-ME), Tina Smith (D-MN), Peter Welch (D-VT), Martin Heinrich (D-NM), Kirsten Gillibrand (D-NY), Ron Wyden (D-OR), Alex Padilla (D-CA), Ruben Gallego (D-AZ) and Catherine Cortez Masto (D-NV).
TheVeteran Families Health Services Actis supported by RESOLVE: The National Infertility Association and the American Society for Reproductive Medicine (ASRM).
Full text of the legislation is available onSenator Duckworth’s website.

Throughout her time in the Senate, Duckworth has made protecting reproductive freedom a top priority in the face of Republicans’ anti-choice crusade. Last month, Duckworthsecured her provisionto ensure IVF treatment costs are covered on servicemembers’ and military families’ health care plans in the committee-passedFiscal Year (FY) 2026 National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA). In June, DuckworthintroducedtheProtect IVF Actthat would establish a nationwide right to access IVF.
Last year, Duckworth was the lead sponsor of herRight to IVF Act—a package that includes Senator Murray’sVeteran Families Health Services Actand would both establish a right to IVF and other assisted reproductive technology (ART), expand access for hopeful parents, Veterans and federal employees, as well as lower the costs of IVF for middle class families across the country. When Senate Republicans blocked theRight to IVF Actfrom passing in September of last year, the vote marked the fourth timeSenate Republicans blocked Duckworth-led legislationthat would protect access to IVF nationwide.
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