Pa. House Dems advocate for ‘Infertility Awareness Week’
Rep. Steve Malagari May 1, 2024 | 10:14 AM
HARRISBURG, May 1 – Pennsylvania House Democrats stand in support for individuals grappling with infertility by designating the week of April 21 through April 27 as "Infertility Awareness Week in Pennsylvania" through H.R. 395.
"Infertility affects individuals from all walks of life, yet the stigma surrounding this issue often prevents open discussion and access to necessary resources,” said Steve Malagari, D-Montgomery. “By designating 'Infertility Awareness Week in Pennsylvania,' we aim to shed light on this important topic and advocate for comprehensive healthcare services that empower individuals on their path to parenthood. Every individual deserves the opportunity to build their family, and it is our duty to ensure that healthcare resources reflect this fundamental principle.”
“Wanting to start a family but coping with infertility is a painful journey. It’s taxing physically, emotionally and financially. Couples can spend five to six figures on treatment, holding out hope after every injection, egg retrieval procedure, and embryo transfer, but results are never guaranteed,” O’Mara said. “Infertility doesn’t discriminate and could affect any Pennsylvanian. It’s important to show support to those struggling to conceive. I know from experience that a little bit of compassion and understanding can make a world of difference.”
“Infertility is a journey that can be marked by pain, shame, stress, anxiety, depression and significant financial loss,” said state Rep. Leanne Krueger, D-Delaware, who co-authored the resolution. “I had to go through fertility treatment to get pregnant with my son and I remember how isolated I felt during that process. This resolution is meant to support families who experience infertility and to let them know they are not alone. At a time when women across our nation are being denied their rights to reproductive healthcare, where fertility treatments like IVF are under attack by politicians, it’s more important than ever to make sure we advance policies that put the needs and rights of women and couples first.”
Infertility affects millions of individuals of all ages, genders and races across the United States. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention estimates that one in eight people encounter challenges while attempting to start a family. Although many individuals endure struggles with infertility, the lawmakers noted that there is still a stigma around having open conversations about fertility issues.
Supporters of this resolution emphasize the necessity of fostering open dialogues and providing access to comprehensive healthcare resources, including but not limited to in vitro fertilization, intrauterine insemination, cryopreservation services, diagnostic testing, embryonic transfers and infertility medications.