Reps. Gillen, Trahan, DeLauro, Larsen and Walkinshaw Introduce Right to IVF Act

WASHINGTON, DC - Yesterday, Congresswoman Laura Gillen (NY-04), alongside Congresswoman Lori Trahan (MA-03), Congresswoman Rosa DeLauro (CT-01), Congressman Rick Larsen (WA-02) and Congressman James Walkinshaw (VA-11) introduced the Right to IVF Act. Introduced ahead of World IVF Day on July 25th, the legislative package 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. The 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 the treatments.

"I am proud to lead this critical bill ensuring millions of Americans can access IVF to build their families, no matter where they live," said Rep. 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."

"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 Rep. 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 Rep. 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 Rep. 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."

"Deciding when and how to build a family is a deeply personal choice that belongs to families, not politicians," said Rep. 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."

The legislation comes amid renewed national attention to IVF following recent court rulings in states like Alabama, where embryos created through IVF were legally recognized as children, prompting clinics to suspend services due to legal risks.

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. The legislative package includes the text of Rep. Gillen's Access to Family Building Act (H.R. 2049), which would federally codify the right to access IVF services. Specifically, the Right to IVF Act would:

• Create 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.
• Ensure coverage for ART, including IVF and IUI, for servicemembers, veterans, government employees, and people with employer-sponsored insurance, Medicaid, Medicare, and ACA plans.

The legislation introduced today was cosponsored by 119 House members and 46 Senators. A copy of the bill can be accessed HERE. A Senate companion bill was introduced by Senators Tammy Duckworth (D-IL), Patty Murray (D-WA), Cory Booker (D-NJ), and Chuck Schumer (D-NY).

The Right to IVF Act is also supported by the American Society for Reproductive Medicine (ASRM), RESOLVE: The National Infertility and Family Building Association, Center for Reproductive Rights (CRR), Planned Parenthood Federation of America (PPFA), National Women's Law Center (NWLC), American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists (ACOG) and GLBTQ Legal Advocates and Defenders (GLAD).

"The American Society for Reproductive Medicine (ASRM) welcomes the bicameral reintroduction of the Right to IVF Act, which would achieve accessible and affordable fertility care for all Americans," said ASRM Chief Advocacy and Policy Officer Sean Tipton. "This visionary and comprehensive effort would protect patients' ability to build their families through safe, evidence-based treatments like in vitro fertilization (IVF). By safeguarding access to assisted reproductive technology (ART), preserving the physician-patient relationship, and expanding coverage for the individuals and families who need it most, this legislation reflects the standard of care that all patients deserve."

"No one should have to wonder whether they'll be able to access the care they need to build their family," said Danielle Melfi, CEO of RESOLVE: The National Infertility and Family Building Association. "By safeguarding the right to IVF and expanding insurance coverage for veterans, federal employees, and the individuals and families who need it most, this legislation reflects a comprehensive commitment to helping more people build the families they dream of. RESOLVE applauds Senator Duckworth and the bill's sponsors for continuing to put patients and families first."

###