Blogs

ASRM Center for Policy and Leadership Warns Federal Funding Cuts Are Undermining Reproductive Health Infrastructure

By Amelia Letson, B.A posted 04-20-2026
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New research details the impact of cuts on NIH research, CDC data systems, and FDA oversight, raising concerns for patients, clinicians, and scientific progress For Immediate Release Washington, DC —The American Society for Reproductive Medicine’s (ASRM) Center for Policy and Leadership (CPL) , ASRM’s non-partisan think tank, today released a white paper analyzing how recent federal funding reductions and workforce cuts are affecting the systems that support reproductive health care, research, and patient safety in the United States. “Federal investment in reproductive health is essential to the systems that make safe, effective care possible,” said ...
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The American Society for Reproductive Medicine’s (ASRM) Center for Policy and Leadership (CPL) Announces 2026 PRIMED Cohort

By Amelia Letson, B.A posted 02-17-2026
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The ASRM Center for Policy and Leadership (CPL) has announced the 2026 PRIMED cohort, the third class since the program’s 2024 inception. The PRIMED program prepares ASRM members to be effective policy advocates through rigorous, skills-based training in reproductive medicine policy, culminating in a Capstone project and direct engagement with decisionmakers, including federal lawmakers on Capitol Hill. Members of the incoming PRIMED cohort include: Alease Daniel Barnes Sabrine Bensouda, MD Kendall Bielak, MD David Boedeker, DO, MHA Carolina (Cally) Braun, MD Ashley Germann, MSW, LISW-S, PMH-C Arianna Injeian, ...
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ASRM Center for Policy and Leadership Publishes New Research Analyzing the Trump Administration’s IVF Initiative

By Amelia Letson, B.A posted 12-16-2025
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December 1, 2025 For immediate release The American Society for Reproductive Medicine (ASRM)’s Center for Policy and Leadership (CPL) has released a new report evaluating the Trump Administration’s long-awaited in-vitro fertilization (IVF) Executive Order. This timely resource examines the implications of the Administration’s recent two-part initiative aimed at reducing the costs for select IVF drugs and clarifying employer options for offering standalone fertility benefits. The report provides: Detailed analysis of the initiative’s components, including drug pricing agreements and employer benefit structures under “excepted benefits.” Unresolved ...
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World Health Organization Issues First-Ever Guideline on Infertility

By Amelia Letson, B.A posted 12-02-2025
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December 2, 2025 On November 28, 2025, the World Health Organization (WHO) issued its first - ever global guideline for the prevention, diagnosis, and treatment of infertility. This action represents a significant step by the global community to acknowledge and address infertility as a condition worthy of comprehensive and evidence-based health care treatment. In developing their guideline, the WHO consulted an international cohort of external experts, including ASRM members, and utilized ASRM reports and resources, some of which are cited in their release. The new guideline sets out a comprehensive framework ...
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PRIMED Scholars Present at ASRM 2025

By Amelia Letson, B.A posted 11-05-2025
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San Antonio, TX- Last week, the American Society for Reproductive Medicine's 2025 PRIMED Scholars Cohort delivered their capstone presentations during the annual ASRM Congress and Expo in San Antonio, Texas. This showcase marked a significant milestone in the scholars’ j ourney through the PRIMED program and demonstrated their commitment to advancing reproductive health policy and advocacy. “The capstone presentation serves as a c ulmination of the PRIMED Scholar experience, but is by no means an endpoint,” said Amelia Letson, PRIMED Coordinator and Associate with t he ASRM Center for Policy ...
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ASRM CPL Director Delivers Keynote Remarks at Northwestern Reproductive Science Summit

By Angelia Pitman posted 10-16-2025
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October 16, 2025 On October 14, 2025, Becca O’Connor, J.D., Director of the American Society for Reproductive Medicine’s Center for Policy and Leadership, delivered the keynote speech, “Advancing Reproductive Medicine in Challenging Times,” at the Northwestern University Center for Reproductive Science’s Upper Midwest Summit for Reproductive Science. The theme of this year’s summit was "Next-Gen Reproduction: Shaping the Future of Reproductive Science and Medicine." The summit brought together trainees, junior and senior faculty, and other research staff and scientists from institutions to foster the exchange of scientific information in the reproductive ...
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Bringing Reproductive Health Advocacy to Capitol Hill with the Center for Policy and Leadership’s PRIMED

By Angelia Pitman posted 10-02-2025
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By Amelia Letson, PRIMED Program Coordinator and ASRM CPL Associate September 30, 2025 Washington, DC This September, I had the privilege of coordinating ASRM’s Preparing Experts in Reproductive Medicine to Engage Decision-Makers (PRIMED) cohort during their week of advocacy on Capitol Hill. It was inspiring to watch this group of physicians, counselors, geneticists, and researchers step into the halls of Congress and make the case for protecting and expanding access to science-based reproductive health care. Since being selected in January, the 2025 PRIMED scholars have committed months to learning how the policy process works, ...
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ASRM PRIMED Cohort Members—Including Physicians, Providers, and Experts—Meet with Congressional Offices to Advocate for IVF Access & Educate About Realities of Restorative Reproductive Medicine

By Angelia Pitman posted 09-17-2025
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Meetings with House & Senate Staff Follow Capitol Hill Briefing on the Importance of Assisted Reproductive Technology and In Vitro Fertilization (IVF), and Limitations of Restorative Reproductive Medicine (RRM) Washington, DC —Today, members of the American Society for Reproductive Medicine (ASRM) who form the Center for Policy and Leadership’s Preparing Experts in Reproductive Medicine to Engage Decision-Makers (PRIMED) cohort of reproductive health advocates met with Congressional offices as part of a series of in-depth conversations about the need to expand access to IVF and the limitations of restorative reproductive medicine (RRM), ...
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ASRM Center for Policy and Leadership Releases Fact Sheet on Following the Science & An Evidence-Based, Science-Driven Response to Infertility

By Angelia Pitman posted 07-14-2025
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Washington, DC— Amidst a rise in certain advocacy groups and aligned policy makers promoting “Restorative Reproductive Medicine” (RRM), a selective rebranding of certain medical practices in ways that mislead patients and threaten access to timely, effective fertility care, the American Society for Reproductive Medicine (ASRM), through its Center for Policy and Leadership (CPL), has released a new fact sheet providing an evidence-based flowchart for evaluating and treating infertility. "In this highly charged political environment, it’s vital that policymakers and the public understand the evidence-based best practices for treating infertility," said Rebecca ...
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ASRM Center for Policy & Leadership Releases Fact Sheet on Misleading Terminology, “Restorative Reproductive Medicine” and "Ethical IVF"

By Angelia Pitman posted 05-13-2025
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May 12, 2025 For immediate release Washington, DC —The American Society for Reproductive Medicine (ASRM) released a fact sheet through its Center for Policy & Leadership clarifying how the terminology “restorative reproductive medicine” (RRM) and “ethical IVF” is used by some policymakers to mislead and limit access to assisted reproductive technologies. "IVF is a safe and effective medical treatment for families experiencing infertility, which the Trump administration has already said it supports expanding access to," said Rebecca O’Connor, Director of ASRM's Center for Policy & Leadership. “In this highly charged political environment, it’s vital ...
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ASRM Center for Policy & Leadership Releases Fact Sheet on Safety of IVF for Pregnant People and Babies

By Angelia Pitman posted 03-20-2025
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March 20 , 2025 For Immediate Release Washington, DC — The American Society for Reproductive Medicine’s (ASRM) Center for Policy & Leadership (CPL), ASRM’s non-partisan think tank delivering fact-based information to advance reproductive medicine, has released a fact sheet detailing the safety of in vitro fertilization (IVF) as a proven medical procedure. “IVF is, for many trying to conceive, the most effective form of assisted reproduction,” said Rebecca O’Connor, director of the CPL. “IVF is an extraordinary medical advancement that is safe, effective, and regulated like any other field ...
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ASRM Center for Policy & Leadership Releases White Paper Detailing Oversight of IVF in the U.S. and Abroad

By Angelia Pitman posted 03-13-2025
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Washington, DC— The American Society for Reproductive Medicine’s (ASRM) Center for Policy & Leadership (CPL), ASRM’s non-partisan think tank delivering fact-based information to advance reproductive medicine, has released a white paper on oversight of assisted reproductive technology (ART), including in vitro fertilization (IVF) in the United States and abroad. “IVF has gained increasing significance and use worldwide,” said Rebecca O’Connor, director of the CPL. “For many, IVF signifies the only opportunity to have a biological child. Reproductive medicine is already one of the most highly regulated forms of healthcare. With heightened scrutiny facing ...
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ASRM Center for Policy and Leadership Announces 2025 PRIMED Cohort

By Angelia Pitman posted 03-07-2025
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March 7, 2025 For Immediate Release Washington, DC —The Center for Policy and Leadership (CPL), ASRM’s think tank dedicated to furthering the practice of reproductive medicine, has announced the members of the second PRIMED cohort starting in 2025. “The CPL is thrilled to welcome such a strong cohort to the PRIMED program,” said Becca O’Connor, J.D., Director of the Center for Policy and Leadership. “I look forward to working closely with this uniquely qualified group as they further their journey in the IVF advocacy space.” The PRIMED program offers a one-of-a-kind experience for ASRM members who are passionate about making an impact to become ...
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Doctors for Fertility Donates $100,000 to the ASRM Center for Policy and Leadership

By Angelia Pitman posted 01-24-2025
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Washington, DC— Doctors for Fertility (DFF), a non-profit organization dedicated to the advancement of reproductive rights and fertility care, has announced a gift of $100,000 to support the ASRM Center for Policy and Leadership (CPL) through the Doctors for Fertility Advocacy Training Fund. “DFF is proud to support ASRM’s Center for Policy and Leadership in their quest to shape reproductive and fertility policy and train professionals in the field to do the same,” said DFF President Dr. Natalie Crawford. “We are confident our donation will go far in training the reproductive leaders of tomorrow.” The CPL, launched in 2020, is a nonpartisan think tank ...
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ASRM RI Discovery Insider - Summer 2024 Edition

By Tonya Carey posted 08-07-2024
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CLICK BELOW FOR THE FULL NEWSLETTER!
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ASRM’s Center for Policy and Leadership Announces Selections for the 2024 Cohort of the PRIMED Scholars Advocacy Program

By Angelia Pitman posted 02-01-2024
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February 1, 2024 For immediate release Washington, DC – The American Society for Reproductive Medicine (ASRM) Center for Policy and Leadership today announced the members of the 2024 cohort of the PRIMED Scholars program. We were inundated with interest in this program from across ASRM’s membership and are truly excited to welcome the selected members of this year’s inaugural cohort to the program. Each selectee brings a unique, diverse perspective that will render them assets to the infertility community as advocacy ambassadors upon completion of the program, said Rebecca O’Connor, JD, ASRM CPL Director. At a time when reproductive medicine faces ...
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Welcome to our newest ASRM Research Institute Advisory Committee members - Dr. Michael Bloom & Dr. Leslie Appiah

By Tonya Carey posted 10-03-2023
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Please join us in welcoming our newest ASRM Research Institute Advisory Committee members, Dr. Michael Bloom & Dr. Leslie Appiah! Dr. Michael S. Bloom is a Professor of Global and Community Health at George Mason University, where he teaches graduate-level epidemiologic methods. His research characterizes the human health risks of exposure to environmental pollutants in the U.S. and abroad, especially impacts on human reproduction and fetal development, and disparate effects among vulnerable and minoritized populations. He is a member of several peer-reviewed journal editorial review boards, including Fertility and Sterility, for which ...
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ASRM Research Institute Grant Partner Highlight: Legacy

By Tonya Carey posted 07-07-2023
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What is the mission and focus of Legacy? Legacy offers lab-grade, CLIA-certified, at-home sperm testing, freezing, and improvement. Our mission is to make male fertility care and sperm preservation convenient, accessible, and affordable. We work with individuals who are trying to conceive now, as well as those who want to protect their fertility for the future while they undergo medical treatment, gender-affirming care, or deployment. Simply put: we want to help people have the family they want when they’re ready, no matter their journey. A 2021 survey revealed that 73% of men who were planning or trying to start a family had no understanding of ...
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Researcher Spotlight: Jamie Lo, MD, MCR

By Tonya Carey posted 06-29-2023
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Grant Project Title : Identifying Epigenetic Changes in Spermatozoa of Sexually Mature Rhesus Macaques Following Chronic Marijuana Use Grant Amount : $49,376 Significance : Cannabis is the most commonly used psychoactive drug among reproductive age males in the United States and worldwide. This high prevalence continues to rise and is extremely concerning as safety data is substantially lacking. Cannabis users are often unaware of the potential adverse impacts on their fertility, in part because healthcare providers lack evidence-based knowledge regarding the effects of cannabis use and are unable to advise patients. To overcome the limitations of prior ...
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ASRM Research Institute Grant Partner Highlight: The Maya's Wings Foundation

By Tonya Carey posted 03-02-2023
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The Maya's Wings Foundation: Pioneering Research and Support for IVF Pregnancies The Maya’s Wings Foundation recognizes the unique challenges that individuals and families navigating infertility face, including the financial burden and emotional toll of IVF treatments. This non-profit organization is dedicated to improving the health outcomes of IVF-related pregnancies and eliminating preventable pregnancy loss for all. They focus on a multifactorial approach to optimizing IVF outcomes, which includes providing free up-to-date patient education materials, peer-led support resources for individuals and families navigating infertility and loss, and funding ...
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