IVF at the SOTU: Fertility care expected to be major focus at State of the Union
ASRM staff and members invited as guests
For Immediate Release
Washington, DC – Protecting access to IVF care is expected to be a major theme of the State of the Union on Thursday. The outpouring of outrage in the wake of the misguided decision of the Alabama Supreme Court equating fertilized eggs with children has been unprecedented. The decision effectively shut down IVF care in the state and has led to a huge mobilization of fertility care supporters around the country.
The nation’s elected officials have responded. The Biden administration, Congressional leaders, and state legislators of both parties have issued statements in support of IVF, met with patients and physicians, and advanced legislation designed to protect IVF access. ASRM and its members are grateful for the leadership of President Biden, members of his Cabinet, and legislative leaders.
We are particularly pleased that Representative Jamie Raskin (D-MD) has invited our own Rebecca O’Connor, Director of the ASRM Center for Policy and Leadership, to be his guest. In addition to her work for ASRM, Becca is the mother of 11-year-old twin girls born with the help of IVF.
“Congressman Raskin has been my state Senator and now member of Congress for many years. I have long admired his work protecting Americans’ constitutional rights, including the right to make decisions about their own reproductive health care. I am honored to be his guest at the State of the Union,” O’Connor said.
“Clearly the American people have been emphatically demanding their elected representatives move to protect access to family building medical therapies like IVF. We are pleased so many members of our community have been honored with an invitation to the State of the Union and look forward to hearing the President's remarks on the issue,” said ASRM President Paula Amato, MD.
In addition to Ms. O’Connor, several ASRM members and other prominent people in the fertility community have been invited by Members of Congress to attend the State of the Union. These include:
Amanda Adeleye MD, Guest of Senator Tammy Duckworth (D-IL)
Pietro Bortoletto MD, Guest of Representative Lori Trahan (D-MA)
Elizabeth Carr, Guest of Senator Tim Kaine (D-VA)
Barb Collura, Guest of Representative Gerry Connelly (D-VA)
For almost a century, the American Society for Reproductive Medicine (ASRM) has been the global leader in multidisciplinary reproductive medicine research, ethical practice, and education. ASRM impacts reproductive care and science worldwide by creating funding opportunities for advancing reproduction research and discovery, by providing evidence-based education and public health information, and by advocating for reproductive health care professionals and the patients they serve. With members in more than 100 countries, the Society is headquartered in Washington, DC, with additional operations in Birmingham, AL. www.asrm.org
For media inquiries regarding this press release contact:
Sean Tipton
ASRM Chief Advocacy and Policy Officer
E: stipton@asrm.org
Anna Hovey
Advocacy Engagement Specialist
E: ahovey@asrm.org
J. Benjamin Younger Office of Public Affairs
726 7th St. SE
Washington, DC 20003
Tel: (202) 863-2494
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