Sherrill Kicks Off Women’s History Month by Sponsoring Legislation to Protect IVF Access
WASHINGTON, D.C. – Representative Sherrill (NJ-11) is taking action to secure access to fertility care access nationwide in the wake of the Alabama Supreme Court’s decision regarding frozen embryos that led to the halting of In Vitro Fertilization (IVF) treatments in the state. Sherrill is kicking off Women’s History Month by cosponsoring the Access to Family Building Act, legislation introduced by Rep. Susan Wild (PA-07) that would codify the right to access assisted reproductive technologies, like IVF, into law.
“The Supreme Court’s decision to overturn Roe v. Wade was only the beginning of the extremist GOP crusade to attack reproductive rights and restrict women’s health nationwide. Just last week, the Alabama Supreme Court took aim at IVF treatment, ruling that frozen embryos are children and making it harder for parents struggling with infertility and LGBTQ+ parents to access treatment” said Rep. Sherrill.“I’m pushing for the Access to Family Building Act because we cannot allow politicians to make health care decisions for women. Whether it’s abortion, contraception, or other reproductive care, these decisions should be left to women and their doctors. Period.”
Yesterday, Sherrill stood with her Democratic Women’s Colleagues at a press conference in support of this legislation. Click here to listen to her reflections on the legislation.
The Access to Family Building Act would establish a statutory right to access assisted reproductive technology services, such as IVF, and for a healthcare provider to provide such services. It also establishes an individual’s statutory right regarding the use of their reproductive genetic materials, such as gametes. This legislation is being led in the Senate by Senators Duckworth (D-IL) and Murray (D-WA) and was drafted in response to increasing attacks on abortion and other reproductive rights.
Rep. Sherrill is leading on legislation toend the tactic used by anti-abortion activists to manipulate our legal system and hand-pick judges that will rule in their favor, and is fighting to expand access to a full-year’s supply of contraceptives. She is a co-sponsor of the Women’s Health Protection Act and is constantly working with reproductive health and rights leaders in New Jersey to ensure our state continues to be a model for the nation for reproductive freedom.
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