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editorial
. 2024 Feb 11;5(1):3. doi: 10.1016/j.xfre.2024.02.003

Office of Public Affairs update: a quarterly update from the American Society for Reproductive Medicine Office of Public Affairs on key developments in reproductive health policy

Rebecca W O’Connor 1
PMCID: PMC10958702  PMID: 38524200

Latest news

We are thrilled to share that New Jersey Governor Phil Murphy signed S. 3627/A. 5235 into law on January 12, 2024, using the American Society for Reproductive Medicine’s (ASRM’s) updated definition of infertility to expand in vitro fertilization (IVF) infertility coverage in the state. The American Society for Reproductive Medicine’s Jessie Losch joined other experts in Trenton to testify on behalf of this important legislation.

In Washington, lawmakers reintroduced an ASRM-supported mandate. It has 60 days from submission to make its way through the legislature.

The American Society for Reproductive Medicine has proudly endorsed new legislation protecting everyone’s right to access IVF treatment, regardless of zip code. On January 18, 2024, US Senator Tammy Duckworth (D-IL), US Senator and Senate Appropriations Committee Chair Patty Murray (D-WA), and US Representative Susan Wild (D-PA-07) introduced the Access to Family Building Act. This bill would accomplish the following:

  • Establish a statutory right for individuals to access, without prohibition or unreasonable limitation or interference, assisted reproductive technology services, such as IVF, and for a healthcare provider to provide assisted reproductive technology services

  • Establish individuals’ statutory rights regarding the use or disposition of their reproductive genetic materials, including gametes

  • Authorize the Department of Justice to pursue civil action against any state, government official, individual, or entity that violates the legislation’s protections

  • Create a private right of action for individuals and healthcare providers in states with limited access to assisted reproductive technology

The American Society for Reproductive Medicine joined Planned Parenthood of the Heartland Inc. et al. v. Reynolds in the Supreme Court of Iowa, challenging the validity of the state’s 6-week abortion ban.

Save the date! Join us on May 14, 2024, at the RESOLVE and ASRM Virtual Federal Advocacy Day. This event connects the family-building community with lawmakers to address key issues, including access to care.

The ASRM Center for Policy and Leadership announced the selected members of the 2024 PRIMED Scholar Advocacy Program cohort. A dozen ASRM members spanning myriad disciplines and experiences and hailing from across the country will participate in this hands-on learning opportunity to develop and hone advocacy skills. In January, Center for Policy and Leadership director Becca O’Connor presented with ASRM president Paula Amato, M.D., and member Ginny Ryan, M.D., in Galveston, Texas, on ethical considerations at the intersection of interpersonal violence and infertility at the 8th Annual Reproductive Ethics Conference. The Institute for Bioethics and Health Humanities of the University of Texas Medical Branch hosted the event.

CRediT Authorship Contribution Statement

Rebecca W. O’Connor: Conceptualization, Writing – original draft, Writing – review & editing.

Footnotes

Questions for the Office of Public Affairs can be directed to publicaffairs@asrm.org.


Articles from F&S Reports are provided here courtesy of Elsevier

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