Congresswoman Lee Joins Legislation to Protect Women’s Access to IVF
Lee Had Two Children Through IVF
WASHINGTON – Following last week’s Alabama Supreme Court ruling that threatened access to IVF, Congresswoman Susie Lee (NV-03) is cosponsoring legislation to protect every American’s right to access in-vitro fertilization (IVF) and other assisted reproductive technology (ART) that millions of women rely on to have children.
Since 1981, over one million infants have been born with the help of assisted reproductive technology, including IVF. One in six women have difficulty getting pregnant or carrying a pregnancy to term.
The Access to Family Building Act would establish a legal right to IVF and other assisted reproductive services, overriding any state effort to unnecessarily limit or ban access.
“Because of IVF, I was able to create a family, and without it, I would not have my two incredible children,” said Congresswoman Lee. “Alabama is the first step in the far-right's plan to rob women of the opportunity to become a mother and yet another step in restricting women's freedoms.”
The Access to Family Building Act would:
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Establish a statutory right for an individual to access, without prohibition or unreasonable limitation or interference, ART services, such as IVF, and for a healthcare provider to provide ART services.
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Establish an individual’s statutory right regarding the use or disposition of their reproductive genetic materials.
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Allow the Department of Justice to pursue civil action against any state, government official, individual or entity that violates protections in the legislation.
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Create a private right of action for individuals and healthcare providers in states that have limited access to ART.
Representing the Third Congressional District of Nevada, Congresswoman Lee has been fierce advocate for women’s reproductive rights. She has been vocal about how threats to these rights impact Nevadans, from women serving in the military, to attacks on medication abortion, to joining a 253-member amicus brief to prevent another dangerous Supreme Court ruling. Last year, Congresswoman Lee signed a discharge petition to force a vote on the Women's Health Protection Act, which would codify a woman's right to choose into federal law.
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