Expanding Access to Fertility Care for Servicemembers and Dependents Act
The Expanding Access to Fertility Care for Servicemembers and Dependents Act would require TRICARE, the Department of Defense health program, to cover assisted reproductive services for active-duty service members and their dependents. The bill removes barriers based on disability status, illness, natural conception ability, sex/gender/sexual orientation, or marital status, making fertility treatments a standard part of military medical care. It defines which services are covered (e.g., IVF, insemination, embryo/egg/sperm preservation) and sets a medical-practice parameter called the “appropriate period” (at least one year of trying to conceive unless a clinician determines a shorter period is appropriate). The Secretary would have authority to add other forms of assisted reproductive services as appropriate.
Key Points
- 1Coverage scope: TRICARE must cover assisted reproductive services as part of medical care for active-duty members and their dependents, with no reliance on disability status or service-connected illness related to infertility.
- 2Eligibility: Applies to any active-duty service member and their dependents, including members in the reserve components while performing active service.
- 3Non-discrimination: Coverage cannot be denied based on sex, gender, sexual orientation, or marital status.
- 4Services included: Assisted reproduction (intra- and intrauterine insemination), in vitro fertilization (IVF), embryo/egg/sperm cryopreservation, and other assisted reproductive services as determined appropriate by the Secretary.
- 5Definitions and medical discretion: Defines “appropriate period” as at least one year of regular, unprotected intercourse before certain determinations, unless a clinician determines a shorter period is appropriate; the Secretary may add other services beyond those explicitly listed.