U.S. Senator Adam Schiff has proposed the Equal Access to Reproductive Care Act, which would classify assisted reproductive services such as in vitro fertilization and surrogacy as tax-deductible medical care. This bill aims to provide equal treatment for individuals seeking these services, irrespective of their sexual orientation or gender identity. The legislation addresses the current financial barriers confronted by LGBTQ+ individuals in family planning, correcting outdated tax laws to support their reproductive rights. It has received commendation from organizations advocating for LGBTQ+ rights and health care equality.
"Americans, including LGBTQ Americans, should have the freedom to start or expand a family without additional financial and systemic barriers that make it harder to afford reproductive health care services. This bill is crucial in correcting outdated tax laws in order to support LGBTQ individuals in family planning care," Schiff said in a press release.
"Assisted reproduction shall be treated as medical care of the taxpayer or the taxpayer's spouse or dependent to the extent that the taxpayer or the taxpayer's spouse or dependent, respectively, intends to take legal custody or responsibility for any children born as a result of such assisted reproduction," the bill reads.
"The Los Angeles LGBT Center applauds Senator Schiff for championing the Equal Access to Reproductive Care Act," Joey Espinoza-Hernandez, director of policy and community building at the center, said in the release. "For far too long, LGBTQ+ families - especially families of color - have faced steep financial and legal barriers to building the futures they envision.'"
Collection
[
|
...
]