[Congressional Bills 118th Congress]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office]
[H. Res. 1043 Introduced in House (IH)]
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118th CONGRESS
2d Session
H. RES. 1043
Expressing support for continued access to fertility care and assisted
reproductive technology, such as in vitro fertilization, in light of
the Supreme Court of Alabama's ruling that has jeopardized access to in
vitro fertilization and other assisted reproductive technology.
_______________________________________________________________________
IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
February 29, 2024
Ms. Mace (for herself, Mr. Van Drew, Mr. D'Esposito, Mr. Bacon, Mrs.
Kiggans of Virginia, Mr. LaLota, and Mr. Schweikert) submitted the
following resolution; which was referred to the Committee on Energy and
Commerce
_______________________________________________________________________
RESOLUTION
Expressing support for continued access to fertility care and assisted
reproductive technology, such as in vitro fertilization, in light of
the Supreme Court of Alabama's ruling that has jeopardized access to in
vitro fertilization and other assisted reproductive technology.
Whereas infertility is a condition of the male or female reproductive system
defined by the failure to achieve a pregnancy after 12 months or more of
regular unprotected sexual intercourse;
Whereas there are a variety of lifestyle and genetic factors, and myriad of
other medical conditions, that can lead to infertility and make
conceiving a child more difficult;
Whereas studies suggest that 48,000,000 couples and 186,000,000 individuals live
with infertility globally;
Whereas 19 percent of married women of reproductive age in the United States
with no prior births are unable to get pregnant after 12 months or more
of regular unprotected sexual intercourse;
Whereas 26 percent of married women of reproductive age in the United States
with no prior births have difficulty getting pregnant or carrying a
pregnancy to term;
Whereas infertility is a psychologically devastating condition that can lead to
extended periods of anger, stress, anxiety, and depression for couples
struggling to conceive;
Whereas in vitro fertilization is a form of assisted reproductive technology
that consists of a series of medical procedures, including the
collection of mature eggs from ovaries, fertilization of these eggs
outside the human body, and implantation of embryos in the uterus;
Whereas advances in assisted reproductive technology, such as in vitro
fertilization, over the last 50 years has offered hope to the millions
of couples struggling to conceive;
Whereas 12 percent of women of reproductive age in the United States have used
assisted reproductive technology, such as in vitro fertilization, in
their lifetime;
Whereas in vitro fertilization, and other forms of assisted reproductive
technology, have been proven to be safe, reliable, and effective forms
of infertility treatment;
Whereas more than 55 percent of women younger than 35 years old in the United
States are able to become pregnant by in vitro fertilization after just
one egg retrieval;
Whereas assisted reproductive technology, such as in vitro fertilization, are
medical procedures that allow for more couples to achieve pregnancy and
more children to be born;
Whereas it is estimated that more than 10,000,000 babies have been born globally
though assisted reproductive technology and that approximately 500,000
babies are born each year though assisted reproductive technology;
Whereas approximately 2.3 percent of all infants born annually in the United
States are conceived with assistive reproductive technologies, such as
in vitro fertilization;
Whereas in vitro fertilization allows for cryogenic freezing and storage of
embryos, allowing medical professionals to transfer one embryo at a time
into the patient's uterus, reducing the health risks associated with
carrying twins and triplets;
Whereas cryogenically freezing embryos prior to implantation in the in vitro
fertilization process, has dramatically decreased the risk of ovarian
hyperstimulation syndrome, a potentially life-threating condition that
affects fertility patients;
Whereas utilizing cryogenic freezing and storage of embryos during the in vitro
fertilization process is significantly more cost effective for couples
experiencing infertility than traditional in vitro fertilization;
Whereas the Supreme Court of Alabama's ruling on February 16, 2024, has
jeopardized access to in vitro fertilization and other assisted
reproductive technology for couples in Alabama experiencing infertility;
Whereas the ruling by the Supreme Court of Alabama could expose providers of in
vitro fertilization in the State of Alabama to significant civil and
criminal liability;
Whereas at least 3 medical providers in the State of Alabama suspended in vitro
fertilization services in the week following the ruling by the Supreme
Court of Alabama;
Whereas the ruling by the Supreme Court of Alabama will increase the cost of
assisted reproductive technology, such as in vitro fertilization, for
couples experiencing infertility; and
Whereas the ruling by the Supreme Court of Alabama, and any substantially
similar ruling or statute, will result in fewer pregnancies and fewer
children being born: Now, therefore, be it
Resolved, That the House of Representatives--
(1) expresses strong support for continued access to
fertility care and assisted reproductive technology, including
in vitro fertilization at home and abroad;
(2) commends the work of reproductive endocrinologists and
other fertility specialists in assisting couples experiencing
infertility in bringing life into the world;
(3) condemns any judicial ruling that would result in
restricted access to fertility care and assisted reproductive
technology, including in vitro fertilization;
(4) calls on elected officials at all levels of government
to reject proposals that would put access to fertility care and
assisted reproductive technology, including in vitro
fertilization, in jeopardy; and
(5) calls on elected officials at all levels of government
to proactively pass legislation to protect access to fertility
care and assisted reproductive technology, including in vitro
fertilization.
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