In response to this devasting blow for our military families, Rep. Sara Jacobs and Rep. Chrissy Houlahan, joined by bipartisan partners Rep. Jennifer Kiggans and Rep. Nick LaLota have introduced a new bill with the same IVF language that was in the NDAA.

We’re grateful for their leadership and for every advocate who answered our call to action. This fight for our military families is not over. No service member should have to choose between serving their country and building their family.

RESOLVE will keep pushing until military families have the care they need and deserve.

“Failing to include IVF coverage in the NDAA is a dishonor to our servicemembers who make extraordinary sacrifices for our freedoms. There was bipartisan support for this coverage, and its exclusion fails to advance President Trump’s call to expand IVF access. Military families have waited far too long to access the full range of medical care needed to build their families. RESOLVE will not stop fighting until every American has access to the care they need to build the family they dream of.”

About RESOLVE: The National Infertility Association:
Established in 1974, RESOLVE: The National Infertility Association is a non-profit organization with the only established nationwide network mandated to promote reproductive health and to ensure equal access to all family building options for anyone experiencing infertility or challenges in building their family. RESOLVE addresses this public health issue by providing community to all who need it, connecting them with others who can help, empowering them to find resolution and giving voice to their demands for access to all family building options. For more information, visit www.RESOLVE.org.

The US government entered an agreement with EMD Serono, one of the world’s largest manufacturers of fertility pharmaceuticals (they create Gonal-f which is used to stimulate egg production), to lower the cost of EMD Serono’s medications. As part of the agreement, EMD Serono will offer their products directly to consumers at reduced prices through TrumpRx.gov, a new direct purchasing platform that the White House is launching in January 2026.

The President’s announcement also outlined a pathway for large and small employers to offer separate IVF insurance products, like how many offer separate dental and vision products. While it encourages, but does not require employer action, this pathway is a vehicle for employers to use.

There was also something else that happened that was a pivotal moment for our movement. The White House underscored what RESOLVE has been shouting from the rooftops since IVF was first performed in the US, IVF is a critical medical treatment that gives people a chance to build the family of their dreams. This wouldn’t be possible without you – the RESOLVE community – who with your stories and advocacy bring to life why IVF is so critical for so many families.

What does RESOLVE think?

During his campaign, the President promised that the government would mandate that insurance companies cover IVF treatment. Yesterday’s announcement does not deliver on that promise, which gave hope to so many families.

We know that the White House announcements are a step, not a comprehensive solution.

But, we believe it’s important to acknowledge progress when progress is made. And yesterday’s announcement touched upon two big concerns for Americans facing infertility: reducing IVF drug costs and encouraging companies to offer increased family building benefits. We believe these are important steps forward on the road to ensuring all Americans can access the care they need to build the families of their dreams. But there’s a lot more work to do.

At a time when fertility care is becoming increasingly politicized by those ideologically opposed to IVF, the President’s support for IVF matters. This announcement sends a signal to policymakers and employers that infertility is deserving of coverage – a necessity rather than a luxury. However, the potential impact for patients depends on what happens next.

The White House has communicated a plan for IVF—but what’s still missing, and what does RESOLVE want to know?

We hear you–you want more details and so do we. Here are a few things we’re looking into and where we can be of service to the decision makers.

What will the Department of Labor deem as acceptable benefits? RESOLVE will share our model benefits with the administration with the hopes of informing their rulemaking process. Rulemaking is a regulatory process used by federal agencies to define how policies get implemented. Importantly, rulemaking includes a public comment period and we will ensure that this is an opportunity to make our community’s voice heard.

How will companies adding benefits be enforced if there is not a federal mandate? RESOLVE still believes that a federal mandate to cover fertility care, including IVF, will help the most people.

How many people will be impacted? Senator Katie Britt (AL) said at the press conference that this new plan will “impact one million people.” We’re looking into how this number was determined and who is included.

How and when can patients access the medication discount? While the portal is expected to launch in January 2026, we don’t know when patients will be eligible to purchase their medication through TrumpRx. The White House announcement also referenced using income thresholds, which may determine who in the patient community will benefit.

While we want all patients to have access to reduced medication prices and benefits, this will take time to be implemented. It’s important that if you’re considering pursuing IVF treatments to build your family that you talk to a reproductive endocrinologist about how timing of treatments impacts your chances of a successful outcome.

Will Federal Employees and our servicemembers gain access to IVF coverage through their insurance plans? The US government is the largest employer in the country. We urge policymakers to take the opportunity to provide the benefits that they’re encouraging other employers to take.

Who will be eligible to receive these benefits? We don’t know how the benefits will be structured, but we do know that our community will fight together to ensure that everyone who needs care gets it.

Does this impact RESOLVE’s efforts at the state level to protect and expand access to IVF?

The short answer is: no. Our work continues, stronger than ever.

While the White House’s recent announcement shows important federal attention on fertility care, the recommendations related to employer-based insurance coverage do not require employers to offer or expand fertility care benefits. For this reason, RESOLVE’s work at the state level to pass laws that mandate insurance coverage for fertility care remains essential.

In fact, we can use federal attention on this issue to create momentum in the states. When national leaders signal that fertility care should be accessible and affordable, it helps build bipartisan support for coverage across the country. We’ve already seen this play out in California, where a longstanding “mandate to offer” law was successfully strengthened to a “mandate to cover” with the help of RESOLVE and our advocacy partners — expanding coverage to thousands of families beginning in 2026.

RESOLVE will continue fighting at the state level to make sure every person, no matter where they live or work, has access to comprehensive fertility coverage. The most effective way to achieve that goal is through insurance mandates, and we remain committed to that mission.

What’s next?

RESOLVE is meeting with partners and advocates to understand what questions still need to be answered and identify opportunities for our community to make our voices heard.

We will continue our advocacy work at the state and federal level to ensure everyone has access to the fertility treatments they need to build the family they dream of. We stand with our patient community who wants to see transformative access to care, and we will continue to fight with you.

What can you do?

We need you to sign up for our RESOLVE Advocacy Network—there’s no better time. We need you to be alert and ready to take action whether it’s with the state house or the White House.

Please share your story with us. Your experience trying to build a family and facing barriers to care needs to be heard.

Support the mission. Donate today, we’ve got work to do.

“Today’s announcement from the White House underscored that IVF is a critical and necessary resource to building families. It makes important progress in two areas for Americans facing infertility: reducing IVF drug costs and encouraging companies to offer increased family- building benefits. We believe this is an important step forward on the road to ensuring all Americans can access the care they need to build the families of their dreams.”

“RESOLVE is committed to ensuring everyone has access to the fertility treatments they need, and we will continue our advocacy to the administration and Congress until this is achieved.”

RESOLVE wants to ensure that patients, lawmakers, and the public understand what “Restorative Reproductive Medicine” really means and how it can affect access to care, delay treatment, and limit patients’ ability to make decisions about their health.

What is “Restorative Reproductive Medicine”?

If you’ve come across the term “Restorative Reproductive Medicine,” or RRM, in conversations about infertility, you’re not alone. Almost overnight it feels like our algorithms are filled with ideas on how to help someone get pregnant “naturally” or get to the “root cause” of your infertility. It sounds supportive, even hopeful, like something that helps ‘restore’ your body’s natural ability to conceive. RRM often repackages familiar diagnostics and treatments, like hormone tracking and timed intercourse, but it draws a hard line when it comes to certain evidence-based options, like in vitro fertilization (IVF). And that’s not because of science. It’s because of ideology.

Where RRM really stands apart is in what it does not include as options to help resolve your infertility. Treatments like IVF, intrauterine insemination (IUI), and fertility preservation are typically left off the table. That’s not because they don’t work, and it’s not because patients don’t want them. It’s because of moral and/or ideological objections to assisted reproductive technology.

This is where things get tricky. While there’s nothing wrong with exploring all options, it becomes a problem when care is guided more by ideology than by science or the actual needs of the patient. In fact, most of what RRM supporters endorse are tools and diagnostics that are already standards of care provided by a board-certified reproductive endocrinologist.

RRM approaches also tend to focus on female infertility, overlooking male factor infertility, which accounts for roughly one-third of all infertility cases. By ignoring male factor infertility in diagnosis and treatment, RRM leaves a significant portion of patients without the care and solutions they need.

Restorative Reproductive Medicine (RRM) is Not a Recognized Medical Specialty

Here’s something important to know: RRM is not recognized by the American Board of Medical Specialties (ABMS), which oversees certification of officially approved medical fields in the United States. As of 2024, there are 24 boards certifying everything from pediatrics to reproductive endocrinology, but RRM isn’t one of them (ABMS, 2024[cb1] ).

The American Society for Reproductive Medicine (ASRM) has raised this red flag, too. In a 2024 fact sheet, ASRM pointed out that terms like “Restorative Reproductive Medicine” and “Ethical IVF” are often used to promote personal beliefs, not medical consensus. They warn that these terms can confuse and mislead patients and policymakers, as well as risk restricting access to the care people really need (ASRM, 2024).

With support from both ABMS and ASRM, the bottom line is RRM is not a formally recognized specialty, and the language used to promote RRM can blur the line between medical care and moral beliefs.

Restorative Reproductive Medicine (RRM) will Impact Access to Care

The term “restorative” sounds reassuring. It implies healing, hope, and a return to something whole. But, when used in the context of reproductive medicine, it can be misleading. Many people hear “restorative” and assume it means comprehensive or advanced. In reality, the opposite is often true.

RRM is promoted as an alternative to assisted reproductive technologies, and the concern is that the RRM model will appear in legislation as a preferred standard of care. These efforts can be subtle, nestled in language that emphasizes “wellness” or “natural” methods. But the outcome is clear: we could end up with policies that restrict access to the full range of fertility care treatments.

For patients, forcing RRM as the only solution can translate to patients having fewer choices, delayed diagnoses, and lower chances of achieving a successful pregnancy. It’s a well proven fact that age is a factor for women and pregnancy success rates, so patients should be mindful of that when looking at their family building plans. RRM can also create confusion, while reinforcing stigma around patients’ personal decisions, especially for those who ultimately need to pursue IVF or third-party reproduction.

We also want to make sure the patient community doesn’t feel shamed into one option over the other by infertility influencers, public discourse, or friends and family. RESOLVE wants you to continue to have the freedoms you deserve about your healthcare decisions.

Freedom to Decide

1 in 6 people will face infertility. It is a recognized disease, and it deserves to be treated like one. That means those facing infertility deserve access to the full range of evidence-based care. Patients should have the freedom to pursue the treatment path that best fits their health and personal values, whether that includes treatments endorsed by RRM supporters like cycle tracking and ovulation support, or if it’s medical intervention like IVF, fertility preservation, donor options, surrogacy, or adoption. At RESOLVE, we believe it’s a “both and” rather than an “either or” and that patients need to have access to the full range of options that can support them with building their family.

That care should not be shaped or restricted by ideology, misinformation, or vague terminology. It should be shaped by science, informed consent, and respect for the patient’s decision making.

What You Can Do

If you’re concerned about how restrictive and misleading language is shaping reproductive health policy, there are simple yet powerful steps you can take:

• Join the RESOLVE Advocacy Network to stay in the loop about legislation that could impact access to care.
• Personal stories have power. We’re looking for people who used IVF because holistic methods or lifestyle changes either didn’t work or would never work because of the nature of their family building challenge (i.e., IVF was needed because you are a cancer survivor). Submit your story to RESOLVE.
• Advocate for policies that protect all family building options and respect the freedom to make your own healthcare decisions.

When we work together, we are a powerful force. Everyone deserves a chance to build the family they envision. And that begins with honest language, informed decisions, and a commitment to reproductive freedom.

In honor of World Cystic Fibrosis Day, September 8th, RESOLVE’s CEO, Danielle Melfi sat down with Pete Proimos, founder of the Filotimo Foundation, to discuss the intersection of chronic illness, infertility, and advocacy. RESOLVE and the Filotimo Foundation want people living with cystic fibrosis (CF) who want to build a family to know they are not alone in the fight for support and access.

Pete, tell us about the Filotimo Foundation. Why did you start it?

“I live with cystic fibrosis (CF), and I’ve seen firsthand how hard it is to live with a chronic disease—especially when it comes to things like fertility or financial hardship that aren’t always covered by insurance. I wanted to create a nurturing environment where people with CF could thrive, not just survive.”

What does “Filotimo” mean?

“It’s a Greek word that means helping someone without expecting anything in return. It’s like a hug you didn’t ask for but really needed. That’s what we try to offer—support that’s deeply human and unconditional.”

How does cystic fibrosis affect fertility, and how is Filotimo addressing that?

“For men with CF, 98% have an underdeveloped vas deferens, meaning sperm retrieval is necessary to have children, but the medical procedures are often not covered by insurance. We partner with clinics like Atlantic Reproductive Medicine and Ivy Fertility to provide financial and emotional support for families navigating this journey.”

What’s the big vision for Filotimo?

“To build a national network of fertility clinics that understand cystic fibrosis and other chronic diseases. We want to support anyone who needs help building a family—whether they’re dealing with CF, cancer, or another condition. And we want to do it with compassion and efficiency.”

Danielle, what is RESOLVE and how do you support people building families?

“RESOLVE is the national patient advocacy organization for people facing infertility and those who face barriers to building a family. We provide support groups, educational resources, and advocate for better access to care at both the state and federal levels. Our goal is to ensure everyone who wants to build a family can do so.”

How important is the patient voice in your work?

“It’s everything. Patients lead our support groups, shape our educational materials, and are the heart of our advocacy. Last year, 800 patients joined us for Advocacy Day to share their stories with lawmakers. Their voices drive change.”

Final Thoughts

This conversation was more than a meeting—it was a moment of connection between two organizations rowing in the same direction. As Pete said, “We’re in the boat together.” And as Danielle reminded us, “The more voices we have, the louder we are.”

RESOLVE knows first-hand the barriers too many people face when it comes to building a family. That’s why we partner with organizations like Filotimo Foundation to share information about their family building grants and financial help. To learn more visit our grants and scholarship resource page or go directly to Filotimo Foundations’ website.

RESOLVE is thrilled to announce that Kristen Welker, moderator of NBC’s Meet the Press, will serve as host of this year’s Night of Hope, Tuesday, November 18, Cipriani’s Wall Street in New York City. Kristen, last year’s recipient of the Hope Award for Achievement, brings both her journalistic excellence and deeply personal connection to family building to RESOLVE’s biggest stage.

As a mom of two via surrogacy, Kristen understands the importance of RESOLVE’s mission firsthand. Her voice, compassion, and commitment to the cause make her the perfect host for a night that celebrates hope, resilience, and community.

The Night of Hope raises critical funds to support RESOLVE’s mission—ensuring that no one faces infertility without access to care, support, and community.

Don’t miss your chance to be part of this unforgettable evening.

See who’s already attending and sponsoring.

Explore the current opportunities still available.

Sponsorship questions? Contact: Sophia.Elias@resolve.org

Thank you, sponsors!
Golden sponsors: Ferring Pharmaceuticals and US Fertility
Hope sponsors: Inception, Organon and Progyny

Danielle Melfi brings a proven record of results-driven leadership to RESOLVE. A seasoned advocate, she has successfully advanced policy changes at both the state and federal levels, including overseeing historic bipartisan increases in family-focused budgets in Wisconsin and national reduction of health care costs. As a skilled fundraiser and leader, Danielle raised tens of millions of dollars as Executive Director of the nonprofit Building Back Together and oversaw large-scale teams in her roles as Chief People Officer at the White House and Chief Program Officer at AmeriCorps. Most recently, Danielle served as a consultant for companies at the forefront of media and health care innovation, including women’s health start-up Allara Health. Danielle began her career as an organizer with deep experience centering lived experience and personal storytelling in her work, and she is committed to continuing RESOLVE’s community-focused legacy.

“Danielle Melfi’s deep commitment to supporting the challenges faced by women and families, her demonstrated leadership in times of change, and her dedication to fostering inclusive, high-performing teams make her the ideal leader for RESOLVE’s next chapter,” stated Elizabeth Grill, chair of the Board of Directors. “Her track record of policy wins at both the state and federal levels, along with her proven success in raising tens of millions of dollars for mission-driven work, will be invaluable as we navigate the evolving landscape of fertility care and strengthen RESOLVE’s impact nationwide.“

“I’m honored to join RESOLVE at such a pivotal moment for family building rights,” said Danielle Melfi. “Recent events have brought unprecedented attention to family building issues, reinforcing what we’ve long known: Americans across the political spectrum overwhelmingly support access to fertility care. With rising awareness, innovation, and investment in the field, we have a powerful opportunity to drive lasting change. I’m excited to partner with the RESOLVE community to harness this momentum and ensure that everyone who dreams of building a family can access the support and care they need.”

Barbara Collura will conclude her remarkable 18-year tenure as President and CEO on June 30, 2025, after more than two decades of service to RESOLVE and the family building community. Under Collura’s leadership, RESOLVE significantly expanded its reach, strengthened its advocacy efforts, and became a recognized and trusted voice for millions.

“We extend our deepest appreciation to Barb for her extraordinary leadership, unwavering dedication to our mission, and success in advocating for nationwide access to care,” added Grill. “Barb has been a steadfast advocate for those facing challenges in building their families, establishing RESOLVE as the national grassroots leader in the family building movement.“

Danielle Melfi joins RESOLVE at a pivotal time for family building rights, as national attention and momentum around access to in vitro fertilization (IVF) continue to grow. High-profile developments – such as the Alabama Supreme Court’s 2024 decision restricting IVF access and President Trump’s vocal support of IVF – have brought fertility care into the spotlight, raising awareness and demonstrating broad bipartisan support. Polling consistently shows strong public backing for IVF and related treatments across the political spectrum.

This increased visibility has fueled innovation and investment in the fertility sector, with advances in science expanding treatment options alongside new startups addressing cost, access, and care gaps. Employers are also responding, with both corporations and the federal government adding fertility benefits to attract and retain talent, expanding coverage to millions of workers.

As the nation’s oldest and leading patient advocacy organization for the infertility and family building community, RESOLVE is at the frontlines in the fight to protect and expand fertility care to all those who need it, and under Danielle’s leadership, RESOLVE will capitalize on this moment of increased awareness and political engagement to expand access to reduce the financial burden of fertility treatment, and protect everyone’s right to build a family.

For interviews with incoming CEO Danielle Melfi, please contact rebecca.flick@resolve.org.

About RESOLVE: The National Infertility Association
Founded in 1974, RESOLVE: The National Infertility Association is a leading nonprofit dedicated to ensuring equal access to all family building options for individuals facing infertility or family building challenges. Addressing this critical public health issue through support and advocacy, RESOLVE offers free nationwide support groups reaching thousands monthly. RESOLVE’s grassroots advocacy has expanded family building benefits to over 65 million people through state legislation and employer-provided programs. Since the 2022 reversal of Roe v Wade, RESOLVE has actively worked to prevent personhood legislation that would restrict in vitro fertilization (IVF) access. For more details, visit www.RESOLVE.org.

This law also includes ensuring safe access to fertility clinics. It is your right to be able to walk into your fertility clinic free of harassment, violence or blockage from the entrance. Since its enactment, the FACE Act has been instrumental in reducing such violence and ensuring safe access to care.

There is a bill that was introduced earlier this year in the House of Representatives to repeal the FACE Act, and it is now waiting to be discussed in the House Judiciary Committee. RESOLVE is very concerned about this news, and we are monitoring it closely, but we need you to act now. It’s time that Congress heard that this law is important to our community. The recent targeted bombing of a fertility clinic in Palm Springs makes it clearer than ever that we need more protections for patients and providers, not fewer.

Contact your Representative and urge them to oppose any efforts to repeal the FACE Act. Emphasize the importance of protecting safe access to reproductive health care, including fertility treatments. No one should fear for their safety while trying to seek care to build their family.

RESOLVE is deeply saddened to hear of the passing of Congressman Gerry Connolly. RESOLVE is grateful for Congressman Gerry Connolly and his support of the family building community. At a time when access to family building options like IVF was under threat, Congressman Connolly emerged as a powerful advocate for the rights of all Americans to build their families with dignity and support.

His invitation to RESOLVE President and CEO Barbara Collura to attend the 2024 State of the Union Address was more than a gesture—it was a bold statement of solidarity with the millions of individuals and couples navigating the challenges of infertility.

By elevating the voices of those affected and championing meaningful legislation, Congressman Connolly has shown what true allyship looks like.

Thank you, Congressman Connolly, for standing with us—and for standing up for the future of family building in America. We mourn with his family, friends, colleagues, and constituents.