[Congressional Record Volume 169, Number 64 (Tuesday, April 18, 2023)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E323]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]





              HONORING NATIONAL INFERTILITY AWARENESS WEEK

                                 ______
                                 

                             HON. ANDY KIM

                             of new jersey

                    in the house of representatives

                        Tuesday, April 18, 2023

  Mr. KIM of New Jersey. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to commemorate 
National Infertility Awareness Week. Commemorated annually since 1989, 
this week serves as a salute to the patients, doctors, researchers, 
parents, children, families, and all of those who love, support and 
have been touched by infertility. It also serves to recognize the 
extraordinary progress we have made over the last four decades toward 
destigmatizing infertility and bringing awareness to the many barriers 
people face when trying to start and build their families.
  Approximately one-in-five Americans are impacted by infertility. It 
affects both men and women of all races, religious backgrounds, and 
economic status, and has an impact spanning millions of Americans 
across the country. Through research and considerable medical 
advancements, fertility treatments have vastly improved since the first 
successful IVF pregnancy and live birth in 1978. Organizations across 
the country have devoted their mission to achieving continued research 
and advancement, and I commend them for their dedication to helping 
families.
  I'm grateful to have met with women from my district in South and 
Central New Jersey through the help of organizations like RESOLVE, the 
National Infertility Association, which advocates for millions of 
people who need medical assistance to have a family. We discussed the 
pain and isolation that too frequently goes hand-in-hand with 
infertility and the importance of lowering the barriers to infertility 
care including cost and coverage. That's why I'm also proud to 
represent one of just 16 states that has laws requiring health 
insurance companies to provide coverage for infertility treatment.
  But we cannot rely on state legislatures alone. I'm proud to have 
cosponsored pieces of legislation like the Access to Infertility 
Treatment and Care Act and the Expanding Access to Fertility Care for 
Servicemembers and Dependents Act to address this issue on a national 
scale. In the absence of comprehensive and reliable fertility 
preservation and family building healthcare coverage, the option of 
having children may not otherwise be available for millions of 
Americans without the financial assistance and support of organizations 
like RESOLVE, the Alliance for Fertility Preservation, the Military 
Family Building Coalition, and many others.
  For more than 30 years, millions of Americans have been able to 
receive care that resulted in safe and successful treatment for moms 
and babies. While medical advancements have been a substantial step 
forward for family planning and building, we also understand that 
significant medical, financial, and health equity barriers still exist 
for people that want to start a family.
  During National Infertility Awareness Week, I hope we can recommit 
ourselves to removing the barriers that currently exist for people 
experiencing infertility challenges. I am honored to recognize the 
millions of infertility advocates throughout the country, who champion 
the rights of everyone to build a family.

                          ____________________