[Congressional Record Volume 169, Number 74 (Tuesday, May 2, 2023)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E392]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




            RECOGNIZING NATIONAL INFERTILITY AWARENESS WEEK

                                 ______
                                 

                          HON. JULIA BROWNLEY

                             of california

                    in the house of representatives

                          Tuesday, May 2, 2023

  Ms. BROWNLEY. Mr. Speaker, in the spirit of National Infertility 
Awareness Week, I rise to bring greater awareness to infertility and to 
express my solidarity and support for individuals and families facing 
this difficult disease.
  As you may know, National Infertility Awareness Week was 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 both 
men and women of all races, religious backgrounds, and economic status; 
it knows no barriers and impacts millions of individuals.
  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 prior to 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 that will help our servicemembers sacrificing for our 
country achieve their dream of building or expanding their own family. 
There are also organizations such as the Alliance for Fertility 
Preservation, who stand up to voice on the importance of affordable 
fertility preservation options for individuals undergoing cancer 
treatment. In fact, 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 of organizations like 
RESOLVE, AFP, and MFBC, and countless other worthwhile organizations.
  Since 1978, and because of extraordinary medical advancements and 
steadfast advocacy organizations, millions of Americans have been able 
to receive 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 infertility.
  During this National Infertility Awareness Week, I am calling on my 
colleagues in Congress to do more to remove many of the barriers that 
currently exist 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 basic human right, and 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 DeLauro, Congresswoman Strickland, and 
Congressman Rick Larsen for joining me in introducing legislation 
devoted to eliminating 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.

                          ____________________