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.
- 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.