Trahan Leads 69 House Democrats Slamming Egregious Republican Attack on VA’s IVF Expansion ​​​​​​​

Washington, March 27, 2024

LOWELL, MA – Today, House Democratic Policy and Communications Committee (DPCC) Co-Chair Lori Trahan (MA-03) led a letter with 69 of her Democratic colleagues to the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) to affirm their support for VA’s recently announced expansion of access to in vitro fertilization (IVF). The lawmakers criticized a letter sent last week by House Republicans criticizing the policy and describing IVF as “morally dubious.”

“We write to applaud the Department of Veterans Affairs’ (VA) announcement on March 11, 2024, that the Department would be expanding access to in vitro fertilization (IVF) for both unmarried Veterans and Veterans in same-sex marriages,” the lawmakers wrote. “Further, we strongly support the VA’s decision to provide IVF treatment to Veterans through donated sperm or eggs. While the VA already provided IVF treatment for those who were legally married and able to produce their own gametes within that marriage, this important expansion will ensure that more Veterans have the ability to start or grow their families.”

Earlier this month, VA announced that it would be expanding access to IVF treatment for eligible unmarried veterans and veterans in same-sex marriages. The updated policy would also allow eligible veterans using donated sperm or eggs to access IVF treatment. Prior to this expansion, IVF was only available to married veterans who were able to produce their own gametes, effectively eliminating VA-covered access for eligible veterans simply because of their marital status or sexual orientation. Shortly after VA announced this policy, a group of House Republicans wrote a letter echoing many of the same arguments made in the Alabama Supreme Court’s ruling that effectively halted IVF access in the state.

“Unfortunately, […] several of our Republican colleagues sent a letter to you in opposition to this recent announcement. Their letter claimed that ‘IVF is morally dubious…’ and argued that this initiative created a ‘plethora of ethical concerns and questions,’” the lawmakers continued. “Roughly, 2.3% of births in the United States are made possible through IVF each year. Are the children of those parents morally dubious? Infertility affects millions of Americans at some point in their life. Is it unethical for them to use IVF to become parents? Additionally, many women who have been tragically diagnosed with cervical cancer turn to IVF to preserve the chance to have biological children. Is it wrong for them to turn to this proven fertility option while they undergo treatment for their diagnosis?”

There are currently 126 House Republicans who cosponsor the Life at Conception Act, legislation that would ban abortion nationwide, including IVF treatment. The bill was recently endorsed by the Republican Study Committee, which is made up of 170 House Republicans, including every member of House Republican Leadership. While supporters of the legislation have argued it would not ban IVF, a Republican member recently removed herself as a cosponsor citing the bill’s impact on IVF access if it were to become law. Additionally, Senate Republicans have blocked legislation to protect IVF access nationwide and blocked a bill to expand IVF treatment for veterans and service members.

Following fertility challenges, Trahan and her husband turned to IVF to have both of their daughters. She recently invited a nationally recognized fertility physician from Boston IVF, where she underwent IVF treatment, to attend the State of the Union as her guest.

A copy of the letter sent today can be accessed HERE.