[Congressional Record (Bound Edition), Volume 162 (2016), Part 4]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page 5484]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]


           COMMEMORATING NATIONAL INFERTILITY AWARENESS WEEK

                                 ______
                                 

                        HON. SHEILA JACKSON LEE

                                of texas

                    in the house of representatives

                         Friday, April 29, 2016

  Ms. JACKSON LEE. Mr. Speaker, I am honored to express my support for 
National Infertility Awareness Week, which has been federally 
recognized since 2010, and in support of the millions of people in this 
country, both men and women, who currently suffer from the inability to 
start a family because of infertility.
  Infertility is a disease of the reproductive system that affects men 
and women equally, and as many as 12 percent of reproductive-aged 
couples in America suffer from this devastating disease.
  It is also among the most frequently misunderstood diseases.
  We observe National Infertility Awareness Week to increase public 
awareness and encourage honest and candid dialogue among lawmakers and 
health professionals, in an effort to address this painful disease and 
seek cures that will allow every American the opportunity to have a 
family.
  In addition to the millions of couples of reproductive age who suffer 
from infertility, countless more who are diagnosed with cancer also 
face the probability of becoming infertile due to the effects of the 
treatment for cancer.
  Imagine facing not only a cancer diagnosis, but learning that the 
very treatment will render you unable to have children.
  An untold number of military veterans, including those returning from 
combat duty, suffer injuries that render them unable to have a baby 
without medical treatment.
  The good news is that treatment for infertility has advanced sharply 
in the last two decades, and includes in vitro fertilization, or 
``IVF,'' now considered the standard of care for many couples being 
treated for infertility.
  Despite such 21st century advances, however, many states still do not 
provide insurance coverage for IVF; in fact, only 15 states currently 
provide coverage for even basic treatment for infertility.
  For many patients, IVF not only increases the chance of having a 
baby, it significantly reduces the incidence of multiple births.
  A reduction in multiple births decreases health care and other costs 
both for insurance companies and families, and studies by the American 
Society of Reproductive Medicine show this treatment results in 
healthier babies.
  I want to congratulate RESOLVE, the nation's oldest fertility 
advocacy organization, and the important and necessary work they are 
doing to raise awareness about the devastating effects caused by 
disease of infertility.
  I urge all Members to join me in commemorating National Infertility 
Awareness Week.

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