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Veteran Families Health Services Act of 2021

USA117th CongressS-1280| Senate 
| Updated: 6/23/2021
Patty Murray

Patty Murray

Democratic Senator

Washington

Cosponsors (18)
Jeanne Shaheen (Democratic)Tammy Duckworth (Democratic)Margaret Wood Hassan (Democratic)Richard J. Durbin (Democratic)Edward J. Markey (Democratic)Kirsten E. Gillibrand (Democratic)Elizabeth Warren (Democratic)Christopher A. Coons (Democratic)Amy Klobuchar (Democratic)John W. Hickenlooper (Democratic)Sheldon Whitehouse (Democratic)Christopher Murphy (Democratic)Michael F. Bennet (Democratic)Sherrod Brown (Democratic)Bernard Sanders (Independent)Raphael G. Warnock (Democratic)Ron Wyden (Democratic)Richard Blumenthal (Democratic)

Veterans' Affairs Committee

  • Introduced
  • In Committee
  • On Floor
  • Passed Chamber
  • Enacted
Veteran Families Health Services Act of 2021 This bill addresses fertility treatments, counseling, and other health-related programs for veterans and members of the Armed Forces. Specifically, the bill requires the Department of Defense (DOD) and the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) to provide fertility treatments and counseling to covered veterans and active duty service members or a spouse, partner, or gestational surrogate of such veteran or service member. A covered veteran or service member is a former or current member of the Armed Forces who has an infertility condition, unless it is demonstrable that the individual was completely infertile prior to serving in the Armed Forces. In the case of in vitro fertilization treatment, DOD and the VA may not furnish more than three completed cycles or six attempted cycles, whichever occurs first. DOD must establish procedures related to gamete retrieval and storage. Additionally, DOD must provide service members with the opportunity to cryopreserve and store their gametes prior to deployment to a combat zone or a hazardous duty assignment. DOD and the VA must share best practices and facilitate referrals for the furnishing of fertility treatment and counseling to eligible individuals. Fertility counseling and treatment are included within authorized VA medical services. The VA may pay the adoption expenses (for up to three adoptions) for a covered member who is enrolled in the VA health care system. The VA must facilitate specified reproduction and infertility research conducted collaboratively by DOD and the Department of Health and Human Services.
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Timeline
Apr 21, 2021
Introduced in Senate
Apr 21, 2021
Read twice and referred to the Committee on Veterans' Affairs.
Jun 23, 2021
Committee on Veterans' Affairs. Hearings held. Hearings printed: S.Hrg. 117-231.
Sep 30, 2021

Latest Companion Bill Action

HR 117-2734
Referred to the Subcommittee on Health.
  • April 21, 2021
    Introduced in Senate


  • April 21, 2021
    Read twice and referred to the Committee on Veterans' Affairs.


  • June 23, 2021
    Committee on Veterans' Affairs. Hearings held. Hearings printed: S.Hrg. 117-231.


  • September 30, 2021

    Latest Companion Bill Action

    HR 117-2734
    Referred to the Subcommittee on Health.

Armed Forces and National Security

Related Bills

  • HR 117-2734: Veteran Families Health Services Act of 2021
Adoption and foster careCell biology and embryologyConflicts and warsCongressional oversightDisability and paralysisHealth care costs and insuranceHealth care coverage and accessHealth facilities and institutionsHealth technology, devices, suppliesMedical researchMental healthMilitary medicineMilitary operations and strategyMilitary personnel and dependentsNeurological disordersSex and reproductive healthSex, gender, sexual orientation discriminationVeterans' medical care

Veteran Families Health Services Act of 2021

USA117th CongressS-1280| Senate 
| Updated: 6/23/2021
Veteran Families Health Services Act of 2021 This bill addresses fertility treatments, counseling, and other health-related programs for veterans and members of the Armed Forces. Specifically, the bill requires the Department of Defense (DOD) and the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) to provide fertility treatments and counseling to covered veterans and active duty service members or a spouse, partner, or gestational surrogate of such veteran or service member. A covered veteran or service member is a former or current member of the Armed Forces who has an infertility condition, unless it is demonstrable that the individual was completely infertile prior to serving in the Armed Forces. In the case of in vitro fertilization treatment, DOD and the VA may not furnish more than three completed cycles or six attempted cycles, whichever occurs first. DOD must establish procedures related to gamete retrieval and storage. Additionally, DOD must provide service members with the opportunity to cryopreserve and store their gametes prior to deployment to a combat zone or a hazardous duty assignment. DOD and the VA must share best practices and facilitate referrals for the furnishing of fertility treatment and counseling to eligible individuals. Fertility counseling and treatment are included within authorized VA medical services. The VA may pay the adoption expenses (for up to three adoptions) for a covered member who is enrolled in the VA health care system. The VA must facilitate specified reproduction and infertility research conducted collaboratively by DOD and the Department of Health and Human Services.
View Full Text

Suggested Questions

Get AI-generated questions to help you understand this bill better

Timeline
Apr 21, 2021
Introduced in Senate
Apr 21, 2021
Read twice and referred to the Committee on Veterans' Affairs.
Jun 23, 2021
Committee on Veterans' Affairs. Hearings held. Hearings printed: S.Hrg. 117-231.
Sep 30, 2021

Latest Companion Bill Action

HR 117-2734
Referred to the Subcommittee on Health.
  • April 21, 2021
    Introduced in Senate


  • April 21, 2021
    Read twice and referred to the Committee on Veterans' Affairs.


  • June 23, 2021
    Committee on Veterans' Affairs. Hearings held. Hearings printed: S.Hrg. 117-231.


  • September 30, 2021

    Latest Companion Bill Action

    HR 117-2734
    Referred to the Subcommittee on Health.
Patty Murray

Patty Murray

Democratic Senator

Washington

Cosponsors (18)
Jeanne Shaheen (Democratic)Tammy Duckworth (Democratic)Margaret Wood Hassan (Democratic)Richard J. Durbin (Democratic)Edward J. Markey (Democratic)Kirsten E. Gillibrand (Democratic)Elizabeth Warren (Democratic)Christopher A. Coons (Democratic)Amy Klobuchar (Democratic)John W. Hickenlooper (Democratic)Sheldon Whitehouse (Democratic)Christopher Murphy (Democratic)Michael F. Bennet (Democratic)Sherrod Brown (Democratic)Bernard Sanders (Independent)Raphael G. Warnock (Democratic)Ron Wyden (Democratic)Richard Blumenthal (Democratic)

Veterans' Affairs Committee

Armed Forces and National Security

Related Bills

  • HR 117-2734: Veteran Families Health Services Act of 2021
  • Introduced
  • In Committee
  • On Floor
  • Passed Chamber
  • Enacted
Adoption and foster careCell biology and embryologyConflicts and warsCongressional oversightDisability and paralysisHealth care costs and insuranceHealth care coverage and accessHealth facilities and institutionsHealth technology, devices, suppliesMedical researchMental healthMilitary medicineMilitary operations and strategyMilitary personnel and dependentsNeurological disordersSex and reproductive healthSex, gender, sexual orientation discriminationVeterans' medical care