Military families battling infertility may finally receive full IVF coverage, as a new bill forces the Pentagon to match healthcare benefits already enjoyed by Congress.
At a Glance
- The IVF for Military Families Act mandates TRICARE to cover infertility treatments, including IVF.
- Military families experience infertility at twice the national average.
- President Trump signed an executive order expanding IVF access in 2025.
- The bill faces resistance from Republicans despite bipartisan support.
- Passage could set a precedent for national infertility healthcare coverage.
A New Front in Family Care
The IVF for Military Families Act, introduced by Rep. Sara Jacobs and Sen. Tammy Duckworth, could mark a turning point in reproductive healthcare for the U.S. military. Designed to close the gap between civilian and military benefits, the bill would mandate TRICARE—currently the Department of Defense’s health insurance provider—to fully cover infertility treatments, including in vitro fertilization (IVF). Advocates argue this measure is long overdue, pointing to military infertility rates that are twice as high as those among civilians.
Currently, most service families are forced to pay out-of-pocket—costs that can exceed $20,000 per cycle—or abandon their hopes of having children. The legislation seeks to align military healthcare with the comprehensive infertility coverage already available to Members of Congress and federal employees. As Rep. Jacobs stated, the bill is about “giving them every opportunity to build their families.”
Watch a report: Veterans Seek IVF Equity in New Bill.
Trump’s Signature—and a Republican Standoff
The Act gains urgency in light of President Trump’s 2025 executive order, which nominally expanded IVF access for military families. Yet, that directive lacked enforcement power and left implementation details to the Defense Health Agency. Trump declared himself “the father of IVF”, but has not publicly supported Jacobs’ legislation, drawing fire from lawmakers.
Despite the bill’s alignment with long-standing Republican rhetoric supporting military families, it has encountered resistance from within GOP ranks. Previous attempts to include IVF in national defense spending were cut during closed-door negotiations. As Sen. Duckworth emphasized, “after all the tremendous sacrifices they make, our brave women and men in uniform should never have to make the impossible and unjust choice between serving their country or facing financial ruin just to start a family.”
The deadline for implementing Trump’s IVF order is May 19, 2025, intensifying pressure on Congress to act. With backing from groups like the American Society for Reproductive Medicine and the Military Officers Association, proponents argue the bill has both political and medical credibility.
Civilian Ripple Effects
If enacted, the IVF for Military Families Act could catalyze broader healthcare reforms. Experts suggest the legislation could pave the way for IVF to be designated as an “Essential Health Benefit” under the ACA, potentially extending coverage to millions of Americans. This would mark a seismic shift in how the U.S. approaches reproductive care, moving beyond privilege to policy.
The Act also embodies a broader cultural reckoning. At its core, it challenges the notion that service should come with personal sacrifice at the cost of family. If the U.S. truly values its military, critics argue, then it must offer more than words—it must offer options.
With the clock ticking and bipartisan support growing, the IVF for Military Families Act may become more than a gesture of gratitude—it could become a blueprint for equitable care.
