Washington, DC – “Today the U.S. Senate approved legislation to provide access to infertility services for our nation’s veterans. The “Women Veterans and Other Health Care Improvements Act of 2012’’ would direct the Secretary of the Department of Veterans Affairs to furnish fertility counseling and treatment, including the use of assisted reproductive technology, to severely wounded, ill or injured veterans whose infertility was incurred or aggravated in the line of duty. Female veterans, the spouses of veterans and surrogates would be eligible.
The bill also allows the Department of Veterans Affairs to provide veterans with reimbursement for costs associated with up to three adoptions as long as the expenses do not exceed the expense of one cycle of in vitro fertilization.
The first fertility treatments would likely not be covered before late 2014 because the Department of Veterans Affairs would have up to 18 months to establish program rules.
It is nothing but unjust to send our military personnel into harm’s way and to not provide health care services to address health care needs that arise due to their service and dedication to our country. We encourage the U.S. House of Representatives to pass this bill so that it can be sent to the President without delay.” Read full article.