AP94 - Interim Final Rule - Fertility Counseling and Treatment for Certain Veterans and Spouses
2017-03-08 2017-03-15 2017-03-21 2017-02-14 2017-02-21 2017-03-09 2017-02-14 2017-03-21 2017-03-21 2017-02-14
VA-2017-VHA-0004-0010 VA-2017-VHA-0004-0012 VA-2017-VHA-0004-0015 VA-2017-VHA-0004-0004 VA-2017-VHA-0004-0008 VA-2017-VHA-0004-0011 VA-2017-VHA-0004-0005 VA-2017-VHA-0004-0016 VA-2017-VHA-0004-0014 VA-2017-VHA-0004-0003
05:00:00 04:00:00 04:00:00 05:00:00 05:00:00 05:00:00 05:00:00 04:00:00 04:00:00 05:00:00
https://api.regulations.gov/v4/comments/VA-2017-VHA-0004-0010 https://api.regulations.gov/v4/comments/VA-2017-VHA-0004-0012 https://api.regulations.gov/v4/comments/VA-2017-VHA-0004-0015 https://api.regulations.gov/v4/comments/VA-2017-VHA-0004-0004 https://api.regulations.gov/v4/comments/VA-2017-VHA-0004-0008 https://api.regulations.gov/v4/comments/VA-2017-VHA-0004-0011 https://api.regulations.gov/v4/comments/VA-2017-VHA-0004-0005 https://api.regulations.gov/v4/comments/VA-2017-VHA-0004-0016 https://api.regulations.gov/v4/comments/VA-2017-VHA-0004-0014 https://api.regulations.gov/v4/comments/VA-2017-VHA-0004-0003
Trisha Alysse Steven John Julianna Tobi Alena Eleanor Kayleigh Collin
Gomel Bustos Gullan Nesbitt Duncan Olu Nesbitt Nicoll H Nesbitt
Given that thousands of veterans suffer from the inability to reproduce naturally after combat or training and could benefit from the IVF treatments, it is important to note that each attempt costs $12,000, not including the medications that can cost up to $5,000, which is a lot for anyone to pay out of pocket. I do feel that for veterans with service-connected disabilities the costs should be handled, ultimately costing the veteran and their spouse nothing. I also agree with the combination of the previous comments from Morgan Rector and Julianna Duncan saying that if it was not a full service-connected injury causing them to be incapable of naturally reproducing, then the cost should be dealt with to an extent, but not fully by The Department of Veterans Affairs. I also think Steven Hams question over coverage of fertility treatments for veterans with PTSD should be examined within the regulation.  I have attended the past few Veterans Affairs hearings and this issue continuously arose. All references to this topic have been completely positive and there are many wishes to continue the support for FY 18. I am in accordance to these views. I believe veterans held up their promise to serve this country and the least congress can do is make sure they are served to the best of this nations ability. I agree with Trisha Gomels comment when she stated her feelings in regards to veterans with service-connected disabilities. Their costs should be covered, ultimately costing the veteran and their spouse nothing. I am also in accordance to Steven Hams question over coverage for veterans with PTSD. I think there should be evaluations for all IVF patients and spouses, as well as further evaluations for those who may be borderline on mental health issues.  Given the information and statistics on genitourinary injuries it should be a top priority to add fertility counseling and treatments for certain veterans to the Veterans Health Care Act. It is unfair for veterans not to have the ability to procreate because of injuries sustained at work. Also this will take stress away from current active duty, because there will no longer be a need to have children as soon as possible. With so much medical advancement for IVF the costs for treatment are no longer as high as they once were. Steven Hams comments on fertility treatment for individuals with PTSD should also be further looked at. Treatments such as IVF may not be necessary for mental situations but fertility counseling maybe a cheaper solution for these situations.  I would like to know why my son Collin Nesbitt had to pay for IVF when he got cancer while he was in the military and lost his ability to have kids do I have to contact President Trump to get this taken care of he should be re embersed for have to pay for this.John NesbittFather of Collin Nesbitt I believe that The Department of Veteran Affairs should cover all In Vitro Fertilization costs for any veterans that were injured in service which resulted in the inability to naturally reproduce and their spouses. These people were selflessly serving our country and they deserve the opportunity to start a family of their own and build a life for themselves. It is the least we can do for them since they give up so much and risk their lives for the United States. Plus, In Vitro Fertilization can be very expensive and not many people can afford to do such a thing, especially veterans coming out of the service who may not have a concrete career to pay for it. I support this proposal and these new regulations and hope that this proposal is passed and that our veterans are given the choice to start their own family.  my name is Tobi, am 28. I have always aspire to be a military personnel since I was little which i later change my mind. this is basically because of an uncle (US Army) that turned impotent after a severe injury during war. he is 54years old and he has no child (contrary to his wish). now he can not afford to pay for IVF likewise his insurance. implementing this rule will not only give hope to these kind of veteran but could also encourage more military aspirants. My husband is service connected for testicular cancer and can no longer have children we recently paid out of pocket 17,000 and when we called champva and went to billing at Local VA hospital no one knew anything about this at all. Luckily my husband spoke infront of the senate committee of veterans affairs about PTSD in Sacramento at the capital building and has some of the senates personal numbers. I think he should call them about this. Submitted in response to RIN 2900AP94Fertility Counseling and Treatment for Certain Veterans and SpousesThe American Society for Reproductive Medicine appreciates the opportunity to comment on the amendments made by the Department of Veterans Affairs to its regulations allowing fertility counseling and treatment to be made available to certain veterans and their spouses.ASRM is a multidisciplinary organization of nearly 8,000 professionals dedicated to the advancement of the art, science, and practice of reproductive medicine. Distinguished members of ASRM include obstetricians and gynecologists, urologists, reproductive endocrinologists, embryologists, mental health professionals and others. Members of this countrys armed services, injured in active duty in a way that results in their inability to have children without the use of medical treatment, deserve to receive the treatments they need to build their families regardless of whether they seek this treatment while still serving or after separation from service.  Therefore, we are in support of the work the Veterans Administration is doing to develop policy and clinical guidelines, consistent with those of the Department of Defense, for providing fertility care and IVF treatment to our veterans.With 2.8 to 5% of combat injuries to US troops involving genitourinary trauma and the great majority of the injured under the age of 35, there is a definite need for fertility care for this population. While the VA has been able to provide certain fertility treatments, the agency has until now been prohibited by law from offering in vitro fertilization, preventing it from providing precisely the care needed by some of those who have been most severely injured. We remain very concerned, however, that the legislation that allows expanded assisted reproductive services, i.e., IVF, through the VA is temporary.  The need for IVF among injured veterans and their spouses is not going to disappear when the benefit included in the appropriations bill expires on September 30, 2018. The amendment made to VA regulations operates to bring the fertility treatments provided in the Veterans medical benefits package into line with the fertility treatments available through the DoD to active duty personnel, which is exactly where they need to be and where they need to stay.ASRM, working with veterans organizations and infertility patients organizations, will continue to advocate for repeal of the ban on VAs provision of IVF and to make IVF a permanent part of the Veterans medical benefits. We hope to be able to achieve this by the time the amendment expires. I applaud the Department of Veteran Affairs for establishing the amendment to the services that are currently provided to veterans. I am glad to read (and agree) with the various comments in support of the VA offering fertility treatments to veterans suffering from the inability to procreate due to a service related injury. I believe that veterans should be able to obtain various medical care for them to live a healthy and fulfilling life.  Im 100% service connected for testicular cancer the va paid for sperm collection I was referred to a infertility clinic by urology my wife was referred to same clinic for IVF we paid 17,000 out of pocket and it worked we have twins on the way her last treatment was October 2016 twins due June 2017. I am seeking reimbursement for the IVF. If anyone has information please contact me at collin.nesbitt@gmail.com Thank You