[Congressional Record Volume 169, Number 72 (Friday, April 28, 2023)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Pages E379-E380]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




            RECOGNIZING NATIONAL INFERTILITY AWARENESS WEEK

                                 ______
                                 

                          HON. STEVEN HORSFORD

                               of nevada

                    in the house of representatives

                         Friday, April 28, 2023

  Mr. HORSFORD. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to commemorate National 
Infertility Awareness Week, founded in 1989, to salute the parents, 
doctors, researchers, and others for the extraordinary progress over 
the last four decades to destigmatize infertility and bring awareness 
to the many barriers people face when trying to start and build their 
families.
  Most Americans are not aware that approximately one in five Americans 
are impacted by the disease of infertility. The disease affects men and 
women of all races, religious backgrounds, and economic status; it 
knows no barriers and impacts millions of individuals.

[[Page E380]]

  Through the revolutionary contributions of research scientists and 
considerable medical advancements, fertility treatments have vastly 
improved since the first successful IVF pregnancy and live birth 
occurred in 1978. Such advancements include early infertility detection 
through detailed and data-driven testing, advanced egg-freezing 
technology, and progressive procedures that allow young cancer patients 
to preserve their fertility before undergoing lifesaving chemotherapy 
treatments. Organizations like RESOLVE: the National Infertility 
Association, advocate for millions of individuals and couples in this 
country who need medical assistance to have a family. Other groups, 
such as the Military Family Building Coalition (MFBC), have focused on 
raising awareness for active-duty service members and their spouses 
facing unique challenges with family building. They are actively 
working to bring awareness to these unique challenges and advance laws 
and policies to help our servicemembers sacrificing for our country 
achieve their dream of building or expanding their families. There are 
also organizations, such as the Alliance for Fertility Preservation, 
that stand up to voice the importance of affordable fertility 
preservation options for individuals undergoing cancer treatment. In 
fact, without 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 of organizations like RESOLVE, AFP, MFBC, and 
countless other worthwhile organizations.
  Since 1978, and because of extraordinary medical advancements and 
steadfast advocacy organizations, millions of Americans have received 
life-affirming treatments that have resulted in the delivery of babies. 
And while advancements have been a substantial step forward for family 
building, significant medical, financial, and health equity barriers 
still exist for others who require medical assistance to combat in 
fertility.
  During this National Infertility Awareness Week, I am calling on my 
colleagues in Congress to do more to remove many of the barriers 
currently existing for those experiencing infertility challenges in 
their pursuit of having a child. The ability to have children and the 
timing of building a family is a fundamental human right. Thus, we must 
work together to pass legislation to create a path for these American 
families. I also applaud my colleagues, including Congresswoman 
Wasserman Schultz, Congresswoman Brownley, Congresswoman DeLauro, 
Congresswoman Strickland, and Congressman Rick Larsen, for introducing 
legislation to eliminate obstacles to building families. I salute the 
millions of infertility warriors throughout the country and the world 
who advocate on behalf of that most precious of gifts, that of family.

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