[Congressional Record Volume 169, Number 69 (Tuesday, April 25, 2023)]
[Senate]
[Page S1338]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                  NATIONAL INFERTILITY AWARENESS WEEK

  Ms. HASSAN. Mr. President, I rise today to commemorate National 
Infertility Awareness Week, which since 1989 has honored the people, 
doctors, researchers, and others for their work in destigmatizing 
infertility and raising awareness of the challenges many people face 
when trying to start a family.
  Creating life and starting and nurturing a family are, of course, 
foundational experiences that bring challenges, rewards, and great joy. 
For millions of people, however, infertility is a barrier to having 
children, affecting approximately one in five Americans. Thanks to the 
extraordinary efforts of doctors, scientists, and researchers though, 
our country has made great strides in helping better understand 
infertility and provide treatments and support for people who are 
struggling to start a family. Tens of thousands of children were born 
last year alone thanks to IVF. And organizations like Resolve: The 
National Infertility Association have been instrumental in supporting 
people who struggle with infertility, as well as raising awareness 
about this critical issue. Unfortunately, many couples still face 
financial and other barriers to using this procedure, and I urge my 
colleagues to consider ways that we can make it easier and more 
affordable for people to start a family in this way.
  If we believe that everyone in our country counts and should be free 
to reach their full potential, then we need to do more to ensure that 
more Americans are able and free to start a family, so they too can 
partake in one of life's most rewarding journeys.

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