Congressman Dan Goldman Works to Protect In-Vitro Fertilization, Push Back on Republican Attempts to Criminalize Reproductive Health Care
Alabama Supreme Court Ruling Outlawing In-Vitro Fertilization Highlights Urgency to Codify Right to Use Assisted Reproductive Technologies
Read the Bill Here
Washington, DC – Congressman Dan Goldman (NY-10) joined Congresswoman Susan Wild (PA-07) in introducing the ‘Access to Family Building Act’ to protect the right to use in-vitro fertilization (IVF) and other assisted reproductive technologies (ART) to start their families. This legislation would establish a federal right to access IVF and other ART services, thereby pre-empting any state effort to limit such access and ensuring no hopeful parent—or their doctors—are punished for trying to start or grow a family.
Last month’s Alabama Supreme Court ruling effectively outlawed the use of in-vitro fertilization and threatens to criminalize health care providers who perform the procedure. This decision left many families in limbo as providers halted treatment in fear of criminal retribution. The ‘Access to Family Building Act’ would supersede this state ruling, ensuring that women across the country retain the right to use IVF or other ARTs.
“Republican's war on women did not end with the Dobbs decision, and the Alabama Supreme Court’s recently ruling made it abundantly clear that they will go after all reproductive freedoms in their effort to attack women’s bodily autonomy,” Congressman Dan Goldman said. “They want to force women who do not want children to have them and prevent women who desperately want a family from being able to. IVF is a lifeline for families facing infertility and Congress must ensure that it remains accessible to hopeful parents nationwide.”
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
Create a private right of action for individuals and healthcare providers in states that have limited access to ART
The Centers for Disease Control (CDC) report that one in five American women are affected by infertility. IVF services have a long history of helping women become mothers. More than 86,000 infants were born in 2021 with the help of ART technologies.
Congressman Dan Goldman is committed to protecting a women’s bodily autonomy and the right to choose nationwide.
Last week, Goldman announced his intent to introduce the ‘Abortion Care Awareness Act,’ the first bill he is set to introduce in 2024. Goldman will be introducing this bill alongside Congresswoman Jasmine Crockett (TX-30). This bill would increase access to medically accurate information about abortion, specifically medication abortion. Additionally, this bill would ensure people have access to accurate information about where and how to obtain abortion services across the country, how to avoid anti-abortion centers intended to deceive patients, and how to identify misinformation about abortion care.
Additionally, Congressman Goldman hosted a virtual roundtable with representatives from New York State, New York City, and leading reproductive freedom organizations to discuss options for women seeking reproductive health care, New York’s status as a safe haven for abortion care and services, and how New York can continue to lead nationally in protecting reproductive freedoms.
In March of 2023, the Congressman cosponsored the ‘Women’s Health Protection Act,’ which establishes a federal right for healthcare professionals to provide abortion care and the right for their patients to receive care, free from bans and medically unnecessary restrictions that single out abortion care. The ‘Women’s Health Protection Act’ codifies and expands upon the rights established in Roe v. Wade.
Congressman Goldman is a member of the Pro-Choice Caucus.
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