Zincwarrior
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- Nov 18, 2021
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GOP hardliners push to cut off IVF expansion for veterans
Freedom Caucus Members object to IVF treatment for veterans trying to have children. They appear to be objecting to provisions permitting IVF for unmarried veterans and those in same sex marriages. A question that arises is...why are they involving themselves in the healthcare plans of veterans, especially considering the vast vast majority of politicians aren't.A group of right-wing House Freedom Caucus members on Wednesday sent a letter to the Department of Veterans Affairs opposing the agency's recent expansion of in vitro fertilization access.
Why it matters: It's a rare example of vocal Republican opposition to fertility treatments as the party has tried hard to distance from an Alabama Supreme Court ruling last month that froze IVF services in the state.
Driving the news: At issue is the the VA's announcement last week that it will provide IVF services to unmarried veterans and those in same-sex marriages, as well as those who cannot create their own sperm or eggs.
- Several Republican lawmakers have gotten behind a GOP resolution declaring support for IVF, while one even signed onto a Democratic bill to create federal protections for fertility services.
- Four Freedom Caucus members, led by Rep. Matt Rosendale (R-Mont.), wrote in a letter to VA Secretary Denis McDonough that they have "strong objections" to the new policy.
- "IVF is morally dubious and should not be subsidized by the American taxpayer," they continued, echoing opposition from anti-abortion groups to the creation of "surplus" embryos as part of the IVF process.
- The letter includes a list of questions for McDonough about the storage and treatment of surplus embryos and the cost and legality of the policy.