[Congressional Record Volume 169, Number 64 (Tuesday, April 18, 2023)] [Extensions of Remarks] [Page E323] From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
Date: 2023-04-18
Chamber: EXTENSIONS
Mr. KIM : I rise today to commemorate National Infertility Awareness Week. Commemorated annually since 1989, this week serves as a salute to the patients, doctors, researchers, parents, children, families, and all of those who love, support and have been touched by infertility. It also serves to recognize the extraordinary progress we have made over the last four decades toward destigmatizing infertility and bringing awareness to the many barriers people face when trying to start and build their families. Approximately one-in-five Americans are impacted by infertility. It affects both men and women of all races, religious backgrounds, and economic status, and has an impact spanning millions of Americans across the country. Through research and considerable medical advancements, fertility treatments have vastly improved since the first successful IVF pregnancy and live birth in 1978. Organizations across the country have devoted their mission to achieving continued research and advancement, and I commend them for their dedication to helping families. I'm grateful to have met with women from my district in South and Central New Jersey through the help of organizations like RESOLVE, the National Infertility Association, which advocates for millions of people who need medical assistance to have a family. We discussed the pain and isolation that too frequently goes hand-in-hand with infertility and the importance of lowering the barriers to infertility care including cost and coverage. That's why I'm also proud to represent one of just 16 states that has laws requiring health insurance companies to provide coverage for infertility treatment. But we cannot rely on state legislatures alone. I'm proud to have cosponsored pieces of legislation like the Access to Infertility Treatment and Care Act and the Expanding Access to Fertility Care for Servicemembers and Dependents Act to address this issue on a national scale. 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 and support of organizations like RESOLVE, the Alliance for Fertility Preservation, the Military Family Building Coalition, and many others. For more than 30 years, millions of Americans have been able to receive care that resulted in safe and successful treatment for moms and babies. While medical advancements have been a substantial step forward for family planning and building, we also understand that significant medical, financial, and health equity barriers still exist for people that want to start a family. During National Infertility Awareness Week, I hope we can recommit ourselves to removing the barriers that currently exist for people experiencing infertility challenges. I am honored to recognize the millions of infertility advocates throughout the country, who champion the rights of everyone to build a family.