advertisement

SSN on Facebook SSN on Twitter SSN on YouTube RSS Feed

8 Comments
Politics

Debbie Wasserman Schultz Wants VA to Cover In Vitro Fertilization

November 26, 2016 - 6:00am
Debbie Wasserman Schultz and Rick Larsen
Debbie Wasserman Schultz and Rick Larsen

This week, U.S. Rep. Debbie Wasserman Schultz, D-Fla., teamed up with U.S. Rep. Rick Larsen, D-Wash., and U.S. Rep. Julia Brownley, D-Calif., in urging the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs to cover veterans whose wounds prevent them from having children by expanding Assisted Reproductive Technology (ART) coverage, including In Vitro Fertilization (IVF). 

The VA hasn’t offered IVF coverage since a ban established in 1992 but, thanks to a provision from Larsen and U.S. Sen. Patty Murray, D-Wash., included in a spending bill in September, there was a temporary lift of the ban for a year. 

Larsen, who sits on the House Armed Services Committee, is looking to permanently remove the IVF ban and successfully led an effort to have the VA examine “the prevalence of infertility among veterans returning home from the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan” last year. 

“After years of fighting to provide reproductive health-care for wounded veterans who dream of becoming parents, earlier this year we successfully passed a provision to circumvent the 1992 ban on IVF services for veterans,” Larsen said earlier this week. “I will continue fighting to ensure swift implementation of the health-care to which veterans are now entitled and for a permanent repeal of the ban.”

This week, Larsen rounded up almost 50 members of Congress--including Wasserman Schultz and fellow Florida Democrats U.S. Reps. Lois Frankel and Frederica Wilson--in sending a letter urging U.S. VA Sec. Robert McDonald in ending the IVF ban. 

“As members of Congress, we must uphold our commitment to care for the veterans who risked their lives to protect our essential freedoms,” Wasserman Schultz said. “In passing the 2017 MilCon-VA Appropriations Act, the promise of comprehensive health-care will finally include In Vitro Fertilization for veterans who sustained a service-connected injury impacting their fertility. We now strongly urge the Department of Veterans Affairs to swiftly adopt and implement the necessary regulations to eliminate this longstanding gap and ensure permanent coverage and nationwide access to this important service.”

The proposal has won the support of the American Congress of Obstetricians and Gynecologists, AMVETS, Blue Star Families, the Elizabeth Dole Foundation, Iraq and Afghanistan Veterans of America, Military Order of the Purple Heart, National Military Family Association, Paralyzed Veterans of America, the Vietnam Veterans of America and the Wounded Warrior Project.
 

Comments

Newsflash, Debbie: your day was done when you had to resign from the DNC Chair in disgrace for cheating.

Correct me if I am wrong, but aren't combat wounded veterans already covered under tri-care as well? Why does the Veterans Administration need to instill policies, and coverage for patients that are already covered? There must be a liberal dialogue being pursued here. I would like to see either representative provide statistical evidence of how many veterans have service related injuries that prevent the action of child bearing, or reproduction, compared to how many of them are looking to procreate. Interesting policy to say the least.

Tricare does not provide IVF coverage for retirees. Many of those who would qualify for coverage under the VA have injuries so catastrophic that they have been medically retired from service. By passing the provision the VA will be able to offer the same services to those who have already retired that tricare can provide those still on active duty. There is approximately 2,000 service members who will be covered under this provision.

Debbie abused her authority to deny Bernie Sanders the DNC primary. No on liked Hillary Clinton and Debbie forced her down everyone's throats. Debbie should be barred from politics for the rest of her life.

I had been sick for a few days so, being an older fart. I tried to see my VA doctor. No problem, come right in in 3 weeks. She's booked until then! I'm not looking for a handout (as I've been accused of) but I'd appreciate some of the promised medical care I need. Even John Mica couldn't help, nor could Bill Posey. So, I give up. They win. GO TRUMP!!

I THINK... We should make abortion retroactive to age 61,... so we can tell Debbie that she never turned out the way everyone expected and has become an ongoing embarrassment to Florida and the Country; therefore she should report to the nearest "Planned Parenthood" facility, turn herself in and submit to their procedures and subsequent 'replacement body parts for seniors' program" (There MUST be somebody who needs a "Medusa head"...)

Does this loon realize Vets can't get an appointment to see a doctor? Maybe Debbie should prove how important this issue really is to her by personally paying, out of her own pocket, treatment for each and every person who wants it.

Why isn't she in jail. And who cares what she wants?

Comments are now closed.

politics
advertisement
advertisement
Live streaming of WBOB Talk Radio, a Sunshine State News Radio Partner.

advertisement