The Department of Veterans Affairs will soon be able to provide in vitro fertilization, or IVF, to eligible unmarried veterans and eligible veterans in same-sex marriages, according to a March 11 news release.

The context

The expansion of care is part of the VA’s efforts to support veterans who are seeking to grow their families.

Under existing law, all veterans who receive IVF from the VA must be unable to procreate without the use of fertility treatment due to a health condition caused by their military service.

The VA was also only allowed to provide IVF services to veterans who were legally married and—within that relationship—able to produce their own eggs and sperm, according to a news release.


The details

Veterans enrolled in VA health care are eligible for a range of reproductive health care services, including:
  • Maternity care
  • Gynecology care
  • Cervical cancer screenings
  • Menopause care
Under this expansion, the VA will be able to provide IVF to veterans using donated sperm or eggs.

What they’re saying

VA Secretary Denis McDonough said she was proud the VA would soon help more veterans raise families.


“This expansion of care has long been a priority for us, and we are working urgently to make sure that eligible unmarried veterans, veterans in same-sex marriages and veterans who need donors will have access to IVF in every part of the country as soon as possible,” McDonough said in a news release.