NASHVILLE (BP) – The Ethics & Religious Liberty Commission is calling on the Biden administration to withdraw the Department of Veterans Affairs’ (VA) planned expansion of in vitro fertilization (IVF) insurance coverage which would include service members who are single or in same-sex relationships.
The entity is also asking U.S. legislators to oppose the Veteran Families Health Services Act of 2023, which seeks to permanently codify the expansion into federal law.
The VA announced the planned expansion on Monday (March 11). The proposed expansion also includes the provision of IVF to veterans who are not able to produce their own sperm or eggs due to service-connected injuries or health conditions by allowing access to donated sperm, eggs and embryos.
The expansion marks the first time fertility treatments of any form have been covered by Tricare, the federal insurance covering service members and their dependents, without regard for marital status, sex or gender identity.
In its announcement, the VA stated its desire to implement the new expansion quickly and make the coverage available to veterans in a matter of weeks.
Miles Mullin, vice president and chief of staff for the ERLC, referenced the Baptist Faith and Message 2000 in explaining Southern Baptist beliefs regarding marriage, family and childbearing.
“Southern Baptists believe life begins at conception and that ‘the family is the foundational institution of our society’” Mullin said in a release sent to policy makers on Tuesday (March 12).
“In effect, this action by the VA undermines good governance by no longer requiring marital status to receive federal employee insurance coverage for IVF, as well as resulting in taxpayer-funded family formation that is contrary to God’s good design for human flourishing.
“While we affirm the desire for a family as good and God-given, our faith informs how it should be accomplished. Family begins with ‘one man and one woman in covenant commitment.’ Using taxpayer resources to fund actions that undermine this biblical understanding of marriage transgresses our deepest held beliefs regarding life, gender, and sexuality and violates the consciences of millions of Americans.”
