Press ReleaseBipartisan2026-07-23

Walkinshaw, Trahan, DeLauro, Larsen, Gillen Introduce Right to IVF Act

HealthcareAbortionForeign PolicyDefenseVeterans

Context

This press release from Representative James R. Walkinshaw (D-VA) was published on 2026-07-23 and titled "Walkinshaw, Trahan, DeLauro, Larsen, Gillen Introduce Right to IVF Act".

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Walkinshaw, Trahan, DeLauro, Larsen, Gillen Introduce Right to IVF Act

WASHINGTON, DC – Today, Representatives James Walkinshaw (VA-11), Lori Trahan (MA-03) , Rosa DeLauro (CT-01) , Rick Larsen (WA-02) , and Laura Gillen (NY-04) led the introduction of the Right to IVF Act of 2026 . Introduced ahead of World IVF Day on July 25th, the sweeping legislative package that would make it easier to access in-vitro fertilization (IVF) and other assisted reproductive technology (ART) for the millions of hopeful parents who depend on it to build their family. This pro-family legislation would establish a nationwide right to access IVF, lower the costs of IVF treatment, expand IVF coverage for military families and require all employer-sponsored insurance programs to cover IVF. “Deciding when and how to build a family is a deeply personal choice that belongs to families, not politicians,” said Congressman Walkinshaw, Co-Chair of the Federal Workforce Caucus . “For millions struggling with infertility, IVF offers hope and a path to parenthood. I’m especially proud the Right to IVF Act includes my legislation requiring IVF coverage through the Federal Employees Health Benefits Program, ensuring the federal government leads by example. I’m honored to join Senator Duckworth, Congresswoman Trahan, and this coalition to protect IVF nationwide and expand access for servicemembers, veterans, federal employees, and working families.” “Like so many people in our country facing fertility challenges, my husband and I turned to IVF as our last hope to have kids. After years of appointments, injections, and setbacks, and thanks to our remarkable physicians, we have two beautiful daughters,” said Congresswoman Trahan . “No one should lose the chance to start or grow a family because of their zip code. The Right to IVF Act guarantees the right to family-creating fertility care in every state and puts it within reach for the millions of families who need it.” “There are few experiences as hard as wanting to start a family and not being able to,” said Congresswoman DeLauro . “That is why I am fighting to ensure Americans have access to IVF treatments when they want to start one. I am proud to join my colleagues in introducing the Right to IVF Act – because building a family in the United States should never be difficult.” “For many Americans, fertility treatments like IVF are essential to start families of their own,” said Congressman Larsen . “This comprehensive legislation will guarantee access and expand coverage for IVF and other fertility services. The legislation also includes my bill with Senator Murray, the Veteran Families Health Services Act, to ensure fertility treatments are included in servicemembers’ and veterans’ health benefits. I will keep working with my colleagues in the House and the Senate to make sure that women and men in uniform and working families do not have to sacrifice their dreams of having a family.” “I am proud to help lead this critical bill ensuring millions of Americans can access IVF to build their families, no matter where they live,” said Congresswoman Gillen . “Families struggling to conceive go through indescribable heartbreak and stress. The last thing they should worry about is legal challenges to IVF delaying or outright halting procedures. Infertility is not a partisan issue. I will continue to work across the aisle in Congress to protect access to IVF and adjacent reproductive technologies that have helped countless individuals experience the joy of parenthood.” After the Supreme Court overturned Roe v. Wade , fertility care has been threatened in states where sloppily written laws, including Republican abortion bans, have swept up standard medical practice. In some states, lawmakers and judges have moved to redefine legal personhood to include frozen, extrauterine embryos, turning standard IVF practice into potentially criminal activity. In 2024, IVF services were halted in Alabama after a state court ruled that embryos lost before implantation could trigger the state’s Wrongful Death of a Minor Act, effectively exposing IVF providers to wrongful death liability. Care only resumed after lawmakers rushed through an emergency fix to a mess of their own making. The Right to IVF Act of 2026 is comprehensive, bicameral legislation that would establish an enforceable nationwide right to access and provide IVF and other fertility treatments and ensure every family can receive affordable insurance coverage of fertility care. Specifically, the bill: Creates a statutory right for an individual to access, a provider to provide, and an insurer to cover assisted reproductive technology (ART), including IVF and intrauterine insemination (IUI), without prohibition, limitation, or interference. Ensures coverage for ART, including IVF and IUI, for servicemembers, veterans, government employees, and people with employer-sponsored insurance, Medicaid, Medicare, and ACA plans. “Every person deserves to build their family on their terms. For millions, including several Members of o

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Walkinshaw, Trahan, DeLauro, Larsen, Gillen Introduce Right to IVF Act WASHINGTON, DC – Today, Representatives James Walkinshaw (VA-11), Lori Trahan (MA-03) , Rosa DeLauro (CT-01) , Rick Larsen (WA-02) , and Laura Gillen (NY-04) led the introduction of the Right to IVF Act of 2026 . Introduced ahead of World IVF Day on July 25th, the sweeping legislative package that would make it easier to access in-vitro fertilization (IVF) and other assisted reproductive technology (ART) for the millions of hopeful parents who depend on it to build their family. This pro-family legislation would establish a nationwide right to access IVF, lower the costs of IVF treatment, expand IVF coverage for military families and require all employer-sponsored insurance programs to cover IVF. “Deciding when and how to build a family is a deeply personal choice that belongs to families, not politicians,” said Congressman Walkinshaw, Co-Chair of the Federal Workforce Caucus . “For millions struggling with infertility, IVF offers hope and a path to parenthood. I’m especially proud the Right to IVF Act includes my legislation requiring IVF coverage through the Federal Employees Health Benefits Program, ensuring the federal government leads by example. I’m honored to join Senator Duckworth, Congresswoman Trahan, and this coalition to protect IVF nationwide and expand access for servicemembers, veterans, federal employees, and working families.” “Like so many people in our country facing fertility challenges, my husband and I turned to IVF as our last hope to have kids. After years of appointments, injections, and setbacks, and thanks to our remarkable physicians, we have two beautiful daughters,” said Congresswoman Trahan . “No one should lose the chance to start or grow a family because of their zip code. The Right to IVF Act guarantees the right to family-creating fertility care in every state and puts it within reach for the millions of families who need it.” “There are few experiences as hard as wanting to start a family and not being able to,” said Congresswoman DeLauro . “That is why I am fighting to ensure Americans have access to IVF treatments when they want to start one. I am proud to join my colleagues in introducing the Right to IVF Act – because building a family in the United States should never be difficult.” “For many Americans, fertility treatments like IVF are essential to start families of their own,” said Congressman Larsen . “This comprehensive legislation will guarantee access and expand coverage for IVF and other fertility services. The legislation also includes my bill with Senator Murray, the Veteran Families Health Services Act, to ensure fertility treatments are included in servicemembers’ and veterans’ health benefits. I will keep working with my colleagues in the House and the Senate to make sure that women and men in uniform and working families do not have to sacrifice their dreams of having a family.” “I am proud to help lead this critical bill ensuring millions of Americans can access IVF to build their families, no matter where they live,” said Congresswoman Gillen . “Families struggling to conceive go through indescribable heartbreak and stress. The last thing they should worry about is legal challenges to IVF delaying or outright halting procedures. Infertility is not a partisan issue. I will continue to work across the aisle in Congress to protect access to IVF and adjacent reproductive technologies that have helped countless individuals experience the joy of parenthood.” After the Supreme Court overturned Roe v. Wade , fertility care has been threatened in states where sloppily written laws, including Republican abortion bans, have swept up standard medical practice. In some states, lawmakers and judges have moved to redefine legal personhood to include frozen, extrauterine embryos, turning standard IVF practice into potentially criminal activity. In 2024, IVF services were halted in Alabama after a state court ruled that embryos lost before implantation could trigger the state’s Wrongful Death of a Minor Act, effectively exposing IVF providers to wrongful death liability. Care only resumed after lawmakers rushed through an emergency fix to a mess of their own making. The Right to IVF Act of 2026 is comprehensive, bicameral legislation that would establish an enforceable nationwide right to access and provide IVF and other fertility treatments and ensure every family can receive affordable insurance coverage of fertility care. Specifically, the bill: Creates a statutory right for an individual to access, a provider to provide, and an insurer to cover assisted reproductive technology (ART), including IVF and intrauterine insemination (IUI), without prohibition, limitation, or interference. Ensures coverage for ART, including IVF and IUI, for servicemembers, veterans, government employees, and people with employer-sponsored insurance, Medicaid, Medicare, and ACA plans. “Every person deserves to build their family on their terms. For millions, including several Members of o