Infertility is a disease of the reproductive system that affects both men and women. There are currently about 7 million American women between the ages of 15 and 44 who are infertile. Some of these women use assisted reproductive technology (ART) including in-vitro fertilization (IVF), artificial insemination, embryo transfer and intracervical insemination to help them conceive children. The cost for the entire process of an IVF cycle, including medication, can run $25,000. Clinics define an IVF cycle as one egg retrieval and all the embryo transfers that result from that retrieval. However, compared to children conceived naturally, studies have found higher rates of birth defects in children conceived by IVF, including defects in heart, urinary and reproductive organs.

Some say our nation’s general decrease in fertility could result from reduced sperm counts in males. Studies have found that between 1938 and 1996, the sperm count of American males fell about 1% each year, while European males experienced decreases that were twice as great. The reason for these declines is not precisely known but it is suspected environmental pollution may be partly to blame. Another reason for our rapid rise in infertility is that more women are having their first child later in life. In 1970, nearly 12,000 women had their first child between the ages of 35-39. That number grew to 45,000 in 1986 and climbed to 90,000 by 1997. Likewise, about 2,400 women gave birth to their first child between the ages of 40 and 44 in 1970. By 1986, this figure doubled to 4,400 and then jumped to 15,000 women by 1997.

Pending Legislation: S.2386 Access to Infertility Treatment and Care Act
Sponsor: Sen. Cory Booker (NJ)
Status: Senate Committee on Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions
Chair: Sen. Bernie Sanders (VT)