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NewsNewsThe MOAA-Endorsed Bill for Fertility Challenges seeks to expand fertility care access for veterans by recognising infertility as a service-connected condition. By reducing barriers to IVF and treatment, the legislation addresses toxic exposure risks and aims to provide timely, equitable reproductive healthcare support for those who served.
A significant bipartisan effort is underway to address the long-term reproductive health of the nation's veterans. Introduced on March 5, 2026, the MOAA-Endorsed Bill for Fertility Challenges, officially known as the Warrior Infertility Act (H.R. 7841), seeks to expand access to critical fertility care for veterans whose reproductive health may have been compromised by toxic exposures during their military service.
Led by Representative Kelly Morrison (D-Minn.) and co-led by Representative Jay Obernolte (R-Calif.), the legislation aims to classify infertility as a presumptive condition under the Sergeant First Class Heath Robinson Honouring Our Promise to Address Comprehensive Toxics (PACT) Act. By establishing this presumption, the bill would remove the "burdensome hurdles" veterans currently face when trying to prove a direct link between their infertility and their time in uniform. Currently, securing coverage for advanced treatments like in vitro fertilisation (IVF) can take months or even years, often due to the lack of an established presumptive connection.
The Military Officers Association of America (MOAA) has been a vocal proponent of this change. Lt Gen. Brian T. Kelly, USAF (Ret), president and CEO of MOAA, emphasised the necessity of this support: “The risks taken by those in uniform last far longer than their time in service. The Warrior Infertility Act recognises one of these risks — how exposure to toxins can create problems for those looking to build a family. MOAA thanks Reps. Morrison and Obernolte for this commonsense legislation that will allow these warriors to receive the support and care they've earned ”.
The MOAA-Endorsed Bill for Fertility Challenges is backed by a growing body of research highlighting the occupational hazards of military life. Studies indicate that active-duty women experience fertility issues at significantly higher rates than their civilian counterparts. Representative Morrison, a practising OB-GYN for over two decades, stressed that it is the nation's duty to support these service members upon their return.
“When service members put their lives on the line for our country, it's our duty to make sure they're supported when they come home. That includes essential and life-changing reproductive health care,” Morrison stated. “Service members are more likely to struggle with infertility but still face burdensome hurdles to getting treatment. Recognizing infertility as a service-connected condition will help ensure veterans do not fall through the cracks ”.
Representative Obernolte echoed these sentiments, noting that the MOAA-Endorsed Bill for Fertility Challenges is designed to remove "unnecessary barriers" that prevent veterans from building families after their service. The legislation has garnered a wide coalition of support, including the American Legion, the Elizabeth Dole Foundation, and the National Military Family Association. If enacted, the act would mark a major milestone in recognising the full scope of health challenges tied to toxic exposure and ensure veterans receive the family-building care they deserve.
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