Press Releases

Kuster Introduces Legislation to Protect IVF Access

**Kuster is a fierce advocate for protecting reproductive freedom**

 

Concord, N.H. – In the wake of the Alabama Court ruling putting access to IVF treatment at risk, Congresswoman Annie Kuster (NH-02) helped introduce legislation to keep the government out of personal, private reproductive health care decisions. The Access to Family Building Act is bicameral legislation to codify an individual’s right to assisted reproductive technologies (ARTs), including in-vitro fertilization (IVF). Senators Jeanne Shaheen (D-NH) and Maggie Hassan (D-NH) are cosponsors of this legislation in the Senate, and Rep. Chris Pappas (NH-01) is a cosponsor in the House.

 

“Families in New Hampshire and all across the country rely on IVF to help them have children — now, those services are under attack,” said Kuster. “I was proud to help introduce legislation to keep the government out of our personal, private reproductive decisions and codify the right to assisted reproductive technologies, including IVF. I will always fight to ensure the decision of when and how to have a family is made by parents and their loved ones, not politicians.”

 

Specifically, the Access to Family Building Act would:

  • Establish a statutory right for an individual to access, without prohibition or unreasonable limitation or interference, assisted reproductive technology services, such as IVF, and for a healthcare provider to provide ART services;
  • Establish an individual’s statutory right regarding the use or disposition of their reproductive genetic materials, including gametes;
  • Allow the Department of Justice to pursue civil action against any state, government official, individual, or entity that violates protections in the legislation; and
  • Create a private right of action for individuals and healthcare providers in states with limited access to ART.

###