A bill being considered in the U.S. Senate would help wounded veterans start families by expanding coverage for in vitro fertilization.
Soldiers with pelvic or spinal cord injuries can have reproductive problems. The Department of Veterans Affairs currently covers some procedures to help veterans conceive, but it does not cover in vitro fertilization for soldiers and their spouses.
The proposed legislation would change that. The procedure, which can be lengthy and costly, is already covered for some active-duty soldiers who are critically injured. But it’s not covered for veterans who are no longer active duty.
Proponents say the bill addresses an important issue that has not received as much attention as problems such as post-traumatic stress disorder.