Infertility Advocacy Day is an annual event that RESOLVE hosts. It is a day when those who live with infertility come together in Washington, D.C. to talk to members of Congress…
RESOLVE: The National Infertility Association, holds this annual event so those impacted by infertility can have a chance to make their voices heard about infertility concerns and related issues. Advocacy Day is a chance for many people to get involved and to make a difference. It’s a time for us to ask our government to do something positive and to stop ignoring those with reproductive health issues. It is a great time to let everyone know that infertility issues do matter.
What is Infertility Advocacy Day?
Every year on Advocacy Day, infertility advocates bring a united message to members of Congress. Last year, in just one ten-hour day, more than 120 infertility advocates from 21 different states (and Washington, D.C.) met with 49 Senators and 51 Representatives. Topics discussed on Advocacy Day 2013 included congressional support on legislation that would give financial relief for IVF treatments and fertility preservation through a tax credit, along with an open door to family building opportunities for wounded veterans.
Make Your Voice Heard
In just a couple of weeks, on May 7th, RESOLVE, along with other infertility advocates, will again spend the day educating members of Congress about issues important to the infertility community. While many are returning advocates, there will be many new faces attending as well. Returning advocates have said that it is a thrilling experience and that taking control of their infertility through advocacy has changed their life in many positive ways. Meeting with elected officials and discussing the scope of infertility in this country, including the physical, emotional, and financial impact of this disease, has helped many take back some control that infertility had taken away. Again this year, they will be asking Congress to support legislation that will help more people afford IVF treatments and other legislation that will allow wounded veterans to pursue IVF treatment to build their families.
How to Get Involved
RESOLVE and the infertility advocates who will be visiting Washington, D.C. next month need your help and support. Now is the time to get involved! This year’s National Infertility Advocacy Day is a great opportunity to take the time to make a difference. One way to get involved is by sending your state legislators emails or letters about the issues that are important to you and the infertility community. This is a quick and easy way to let them know how infertility impacts their constituents and why supporting infertility legislation matters. It is important to make your voice heard because members of Congress generally do not support legislation if they do not think it matters to those who vote for them at election time.
There are two different bills that currently need support in Congress:
THE FAMILY ACT
One of the bills is known as The Family Act (S 881/HR 1851); this bill creates a tax credit for those who have been diagnosed with infertility by a licensed reproductive specialist and who undergo in-vitro fertilization (IVF). The bill is designed to cover professional charges, medical procedures, prescription medications, embryo transfer, and any other essential costs when a taxpayer undergoes IVF treatments. This Act also includes a tax credit for out-of-pocket costs of fertility preservation if either a woman or man has a disease that will make them sterile.
WOMEN VETERANS & OTHER HEALTH CARE IMPROVEMENTS ACT
The Women Veterans and Other Health Care Improvement Act, S.131/HR 958, was written to improve the reproductive assistance provided by the Department of Veteran Affairs to severely injured veterans and their spouses. Among other issues, this bill will offer access to IVF and other infertility treatments for seriously injured veterans and their spouses.
While many people have made plans to attend Advocacy Day in Washington, D.C. to speak directly with our elected officials, there are other ways that you can be involved as an advocate for this issue. Do not hope that others will do it… Get involved for yourself or for someone you love. Be sure to support the advocates meeting on Capitol Hill on May 7th by sending emails or letters today; tell your Senators and Representatives that you support this pending legislation.
Once you have sent your emails or letters, there is actually more advocating that you can do. Follow-up is important, so consider the following:
- Follow up with a phone call to each legislator’s office. Ask to speak to the legislative assistant in charge of health or health care issues. Let them know you support these bills and why.
- Meet with your members of Congress when they visit your hometown or a neighboring area. Be sure to give them your own personal story and tell them why you care about these bills.
- Hook up with your members of Congress on Facebook or Twitter. Social media provides a great platform to find out what is important to them. It is also a great way to let them know what is important to you as a constituent.
More information regarding Advocacy Day and National Infertility Awareness Week can be found on the RESOLVE website. At the Center of Reproductive Medicine (CORM), one of the leading fertility clinics Texas, our staff of highly trained reproductive specialists is available to help you with your infertility concerns and questions. They believe in educating all patients, offering the best care and treatment options available so that patients can make informed decisions on their journey to conceive. CORM has three conveniently located fertility clinics in Clear Lake, Houston, and Beaumont. For additional information regarding infertility or infertility treatment in the southeast Texas area, be sure to contact the professional team at CORM today.
