ICYMI: Speaker Johnson Quietly Tries to Kill IVF Coverage for Military Families
New reporting reveals Johnson’s push to strip bipartisan IVF protections from the National Defense Authorization Act, leaving service members behind
WASHINGTON, DC –– Today, Free & Just is responding to new reporting that House Speaker Mike Johnson is working to remove a bipartisan provision that would guarantee IVF coverage for all active-duty service members and their families through TRICARE. TRICARE is the Pentagon’s health coverage program serving more than 9 million service members, retirees, and military families.
The provision — supported in both chambers — would finally extend assisted reproductive technology coverage to the millions of service members who experience infertility at higher rates than the general population.
In response to today’s reporting, Veronica Ingham, Senior Campaign Director for Free & Just, released the following statement:
“Speaker Johnnson’s push to strip IVF coverage from military families is a cruel and needless political choice. Our service members sacrifice more than most Americans can imagine. Denying them a chance to build the families they dream of is indefensible.”
The reporting follows months of silence from the administration after releasing a misleading new proposal related to IVF treatment in October. Instead, under the leadership of the self-proclaimed “father of IVF,” the Trump administration continues to roll back access to all types of reproductive health care, including fertility treatment.
This reporting confirms that Speaker Johnson is pushing behind closed doors to remove the IVF provision from this year’s National Defense Authorization Act, despite public promises from President Trump and congressional Republicans to expand IVF access.
Free & Just will continue fighting to ensure every family has access to the reproductive care they need.
If you are interested in connecting with patients, providers, or advocates about this reporting and how the Trump administration’s attacks on reproductive freedom harm growing families, please contact Kelly Rimar (kelly@freeandjust.us).
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Free & Just is fighting to stop attacks on reproductive freedom and rights. We’re working with people across the country to share real stories to show the devastating consequences of attacks on our reproductive freedom. We all deserve the right to control our bodies and lives. That’s why we’re sharing our stories, raising our voices, and fighting for our future.