ASRM Releases Infographics on How You Can Help Protect IVF

May 18, 2022
Author: ASRM
Origin: ASRM Infographics

• 5 Things You Need to Know
• 5 Things ASRM is Doing Now
• 5 Things to Tell You Patients
• 5 Things You Can Do Right Now
• 5 Ways to Amplify Your Voice

 

 

 

 

 

 

5 Steps to Protect IVF and Other Ways You Can Help

5 Things You Need to Know:

1. IVF remains LEGAL in the U.S. and the overturn of Roe v Wade alone will not change that.
2. If the Supreme Court rules to overturn Roe v Wade, states may enact laws that ban, restrict, or in some cases protect medical procedures and these proposals may, intentionally or not, impact other medical treatments, including contraception and fertility care.
3. ASRM staff is closely monitoring and responding to State policy proposals, will keep members informed of developments, and will flag opportunities for members to engage and exercise their rights as citizens.
4. The SCOTUS draft decision is not yet final and there are many unanswered questions that will take time to answer.
5. While there's a lot we still don't know, you're not powerless. Now is a great time to raise your voice. See below for some tips on how to do so.

5 Things ASRM Is Doing Now

1. Sending letters to state legislators opposing restrictions on reproductive health and "person hood" bills that would endanger the ability to provide IVF and cryopreserve embryos.
2. Hosting a series of webinars on the effects of the SCOTUS decision on our members' practices.
3. Working in and leading Federal and State coalitions to expand access to reproductive care.
4. Joining amicus briefs with nationwide groups Opposing abortion bans.
5. Creating and sharing an advocacy toolkits (like this one) for members' use in policy engagement.

5 Things To Tell Your Patients

1. IVF and fertility treatment is still legal in the united states, even if and when the supreme court decides to Overturn Roe v Wade.
2. I understand this time is scary and confusing and I wish I had all the answers, but I unfortunately do not. A lot of decisions--including the final opinion from the court, are pending.
3. What I can tell you is this: the overturn of Roe v Wade does not, itself, make IVF or other forms of fertility care illegal. Decisions to ban access will rest in the hands of State lawmakers.
4. If you are concerned and wish to raise those concerns to your State lawmakers, you can visit ASRM.org to learn about proposals in your state and opportunities to engage and amplify those concerns.
5. Get involved with RESOLVE and other patient advocacy groups.

5 Things You Can Do Right Now

1. Talk to your colleagues--all providers need to know how fundamental your work is to building families and providing safe care.
2. Communicate to your Federal, State, and Local officials via letter, email, or phone calls.
3. Build relationships with all your elected officials by communicating often with them and requesting meetings.
4. Talk to your neighbors and family about how these bans will impact your patients. Even talk to your grumpy uncle.
5. Stay engaged with ASRM's advocacy activities such as calls to action, podcasts, webinars, and other educational offerings.

5 Ways to Amplify Your Voice

1. Use this sample messaging if you don't know where to start: "Health care decisions, particularly on reproductive matters, need to be the purview of patients and their physicians, not politicians. I oppose any policy that takes away any person's right to access all forms of reproductive care." And tag your representatives!
2. Retweet other providers using their voice and platform for advocacy.
3. Write letters to the editor and Op-eds.
4. Tag ASRM in your posts so we can amplify your voices on our pages.
5. Build relationships with local reporters--change starts in your community.