The bill proposes fertility services for members of the Armed Forces and certain veterans and their spouses, partners, donors, or gestational surrogates. Services could include fertility counseling, in vitro fertilization, genetic testing of embryos, and fertility preservation. The Department of Defense would also offer reproductive material preservation before certain deployments or hazardous assignments, and after some service-related injuries or illnesses. The Department of Veterans Affairs could provide adoption assistance to eligible veterans and would support research on veterans’ reproductive health.
If enacted, eligible service members and enrolled veterans could receive fertility treatment and counseling without regard to factors such as marital status or infertility diagnosis. Veterans could also seek adoption assistance. The bill calls for help finding providers and continuing care after a move or, for service members, a permanent change of station. Some services require informed consent, and eligibility rules would apply.
The bill does not state a total cost. The Department of Defense would cover storage of reproductive material until one year after a member leaves the Armed Forces. After that, the individual could pay to continue storage or transfer the material to a private facility. Veterans who owe copayments for VA services would have to agree to pay applicable copayments. VA adoption assistance would be limited to an amount the Secretary determines equals the cost of no more than three adoptions.
No publicly available information.
No publicly available information.