Friday, May 3, 2013

The Family Act


History

(Taken from the Resolve Website)

In May 2011 a bill to create a tax credit for the out-of-pocket costs associated with infertility medical treatment was introduced in the U.S. Senate by Senator Kirsten Gillibrand (NY) and in the U.S. House of Representatives by Congressman John Lewis (GA). Aptly named the Family Act of 2011, S 965/HR 3522 could have potentially helped thousands of people seeking medical treatment that otherwise would be out of reach for them. RESOLVE supported this bill and required help from its followers and members to get this bill passed and made into a law. The bill died in the 112th Congress and must be re-introduced in the 113th Congress.  Check back on the Resolve Website for updates on the Family Act in the 113th Congress.

Current Status

The 2013 Advocacy Day in Washington D.C. on May 8th will highlight the reintroduction of this bill as one of two major issues this year.  For more information about attending this year's Advocacy Day, please see previous blog posts from this week on inconceivablestory.blogspot.com, or visit the Resolve Website's Advocacy Day webpage.

More Information Regarding The Family Act

(From the Resolve Website)

Learn the details about this past pending legislation.
Find out what's going on with this bill.

Why Does RESOLVE Support this Bill?
The Family Act of 2011 allows thousands that would otherwise not be able to access care to receive the medical treatment they need to build their family.

Infertility Tax Credit FAQs
Get answers to frequently asked questions about this pending legislation.

Family Act in the News
Read the latest articles about the Family Act.

Become a Grassroots Advocate
Every year we are fighting anti-family bills in more and more states. We need you today. We need you to help build our state advocacy infrastructure so that we are prepared to fight back in all 50 states at any time.


My thoughts

I am personally very excited about the Family Act, and if it gets re-introduced as a bill in the 113th Congress, I'll be happy to support it, advocate for it, promote it, and even lobby for it in anyway I can.  I know many of my readers and hundreds, probably even thousands more out there do not have health insurance coverage for IVF and other ART treatments.  So many of us could benefit from this opportunity to make our dreams of creating or growing our families become a reality.  I urge everyone affected by infertility to support the Family Act, especially if it is re-introduced as a bill this year.  Together we are stronger, so please, let's join together to support this Act!

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