Rep. Harshbarger Introduces RESTORE Act to Fund Endometriosis Research and Natural Fertility Care
This bill was recently introduced and is currently being reviewed by the House Committee on Energy and Commerce. It is in the early stages of the legislative process and is considered active. There are no upcoming votes scheduled at this time.
While the bill addresses common health problems, its focus on natural methods over common fertility treatments makes it a target for partisan debate in the Senate.
The conscience protections in Section 4 could reduce access to assisted reproductive technology for LGBTQ individuals and couples who often rely on IVF, artificial insemination, or surrogacy to build families. Providers who decline to participate in these services on religious or moral grounds would face no penalty, potentially limiting referral networks and access in some areas.
Referred to the House Committee on Energy and Commerce.
Introduced in House
The bill was officially filed and given a number. It now enters the legislative queue.
No votes have been recorded for this legislation yet.
The RESTORE Act, backed by the Heritage Foundation, promotes RRM—a holistic approach to infertility focusing on lifestyle and underlying health. Critics argue the methods are often unproven and used by anti-abortion groups to steer patients away from IVF.
Arkansas became the first state to pass a version of the RESTORE Act, requiring insurance to cover restorative reproductive medicine. The law mirrors federal legislation introduced by Sen. Cindy Hyde-Smith, which medical groups like ACOG criticize as a 'nonmedical approach' to fertility.
The RESTORE Act aims to fund research into restorative reproductive medicine (RRM) and enable insurance coverage for root-cause care. Supporters argue RRM aligns with the 'Make America Healthy Again' model by providing holistic solutions for couples struggling to conceive.
Document Type
Congressional Bill
Official Title
RESTORE Act
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