Commemorating "National Infertility Awareness Week" on April 19-25, 2026, in the State of Rhode Island

WHEREAS, According to RESOLVE: The National Infertility Association, 1 in 6 people worldwide experience infertility, making it a prevalent public health concern that impacts millions of families; and

WHEREAS, The World Health Organization and the American Medical Association define infertility as a disease, recognizing that it can result from medical, genetic, environmental, or unexplained causes; and

WHEREAS, Infertility affects women and men equally and does not discriminate based on race, religion, sexual orientation, marital status or socioeconomic level; and

WHEREAS, The LGBTQI+ community also faces challenges when building their families; and

WHEREAS, All people challenged in their family-building journey should have access to all family-building options. Families facing obstacles while trying to start or expand can have profound emotional, psychological and financial impacts, including stress, anxiety, depression, and significant out-of-pocket expenses; and

WHEREAS, Family-building options include adoption, assisted reproductive technologies, in vitro fertilization (IVF), third-party reproduction, and fertility preservation. Access to these options is essential to ensuring reproductive equity for all individuals and couples; and

WHEREAS, Cost and lack of insurance coverage are challenges for many in our State to access the family-building option they need; and

WHEREAS, Raising awareness about infertility and the barriers faced by the family- building community is the first step to removing these barriers, reducing stigma, supporting affected individuals and families, and improving access to care; now, therefore be it

RESOLVED, That this House of Representatives of the State of Rhode Island hereby joins RESOLVE: The National Infertility Association, dedicated volunteers, health care professionals, and members of the infertility and family-building community in commemorating and participating in “National Infertility Awareness Week” on April 19-25, 2026, in the State of Rhode Island; and be it further

RESOLVED, That the Secretary of State be and hereby is authorized and directed to transmit a duly certified copy of this resolution to CEO Danielle Melfi, RESOLVE: The National Infertility Association.