[Congressional Bills 118th Congress]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office]
[H. Res. 1043 Introduced in House (IH)]

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118th CONGRESS
  2d Session
H. RES. 1043

Expressing support for continued access to fertility care and assisted 
 reproductive technology, such as in vitro fertilization, in light of 
the Supreme Court of Alabama's ruling that has jeopardized access to in 
    vitro fertilization and other assisted reproductive technology.


_______________________________________________________________________


                    IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES

                           February 29, 2024

 Ms. Mace (for herself, Mr. Van Drew, Mr. D'Esposito, Mr. Bacon, Mrs. 
  Kiggans of Virginia, Mr. LaLota, and Mr. Schweikert) submitted the 
following resolution; which was referred to the Committee on Energy and 
                                Commerce

_______________________________________________________________________

                               RESOLUTION


 
Expressing support for continued access to fertility care and assisted 
 reproductive technology, such as in vitro fertilization, in light of 
the Supreme Court of Alabama's ruling that has jeopardized access to in 
    vitro fertilization and other assisted reproductive technology.

Whereas infertility is a condition of the male or female reproductive system 
        defined by the failure to achieve a pregnancy after 12 months or more of 
        regular unprotected sexual intercourse;
Whereas there are a variety of lifestyle and genetic factors, and myriad of 
        other medical conditions, that can lead to infertility and make 
        conceiving a child more difficult;
Whereas studies suggest that 48,000,000 couples and 186,000,000 individuals live 
        with infertility globally;
Whereas 19 percent of married women of reproductive age in the United States 
        with no prior births are unable to get pregnant after 12 months or more 
        of regular unprotected sexual intercourse;
Whereas 26 percent of married women of reproductive age in the United States 
        with no prior births have difficulty getting pregnant or carrying a 
        pregnancy to term;
Whereas infertility is a psychologically devastating condition that can lead to 
        extended periods of anger, stress, anxiety, and depression for couples 
        struggling to conceive;
Whereas in vitro fertilization is a form of assisted reproductive technology 
        that consists of a series of medical procedures, including the 
        collection of mature eggs from ovaries, fertilization of these eggs 
        outside the human body, and implantation of embryos in the uterus;
Whereas advances in assisted reproductive technology, such as in vitro 
        fertilization, over the last 50 years has offered hope to the millions 
        of couples struggling to conceive;
Whereas 12 percent of women of reproductive age in the United States have used 
        assisted reproductive technology, such as in vitro fertilization, in 
        their lifetime;
Whereas in vitro fertilization, and other forms of assisted reproductive 
        technology, have been proven to be safe, reliable, and effective forms 
        of infertility treatment;
Whereas more than 55 percent of women younger than 35 years old in the United 
        States are able to become pregnant by in vitro fertilization after just 
        one egg retrieval;
Whereas assisted reproductive technology, such as in vitro fertilization, are 
        medical procedures that allow for more couples to achieve pregnancy and 
        more children to be born;
Whereas it is estimated that more than 10,000,000 babies have been born globally 
        though assisted reproductive technology and that approximately 500,000 
        babies are born each year though assisted reproductive technology;
Whereas approximately 2.3 percent of all infants born annually in the United 
        States are conceived with assistive reproductive technologies, such as 
        in vitro fertilization;
Whereas in vitro fertilization allows for cryogenic freezing and storage of 
        embryos, allowing medical professionals to transfer one embryo at a time 
        into the patient's uterus, reducing the health risks associated with 
        carrying twins and triplets;
Whereas cryogenically freezing embryos prior to implantation in the in vitro 
        fertilization process, has dramatically decreased the risk of ovarian 
        hyperstimulation syndrome, a potentially life-threating condition that 
        affects fertility patients;
Whereas utilizing cryogenic freezing and storage of embryos during the in vitro 
        fertilization process is significantly more cost effective for couples 
        experiencing infertility than traditional in vitro fertilization;
Whereas the Supreme Court of Alabama's ruling on February 16, 2024, has 
        jeopardized access to in vitro fertilization and other assisted 
        reproductive technology for couples in Alabama experiencing infertility;
Whereas the ruling by the Supreme Court of Alabama could expose providers of in 
        vitro fertilization in the State of Alabama to significant civil and 
        criminal liability;
Whereas at least 3 medical providers in the State of Alabama suspended in vitro 
        fertilization services in the week following the ruling by the Supreme 
        Court of Alabama;
Whereas the ruling by the Supreme Court of Alabama will increase the cost of 
        assisted reproductive technology, such as in vitro fertilization, for 
        couples experiencing infertility; and
Whereas the ruling by the Supreme Court of Alabama, and any substantially 
        similar ruling or statute, will result in fewer pregnancies and fewer 
        children being born: Now, therefore, be it
    Resolved, That the House of Representatives--
            (1) expresses strong support for continued access to 
        fertility care and assisted reproductive technology, including 
        in vitro fertilization at home and abroad;
            (2) commends the work of reproductive endocrinologists and 
        other fertility specialists in assisting couples experiencing 
        infertility in bringing life into the world;
            (3) condemns any judicial ruling that would result in 
        restricted access to fertility care and assisted reproductive 
        technology, including in vitro fertilization;
            (4) calls on elected officials at all levels of government 
        to reject proposals that would put access to fertility care and 
        assisted reproductive technology, including in vitro 
        fertilization, in jeopardy; and
            (5) calls on elected officials at all levels of government 
        to proactively pass legislation to protect access to fertility 
        care and assisted reproductive technology, including in vitro 
        fertilization.
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