Thursday, December 13, 2012

Wounded veterans and their spouses wanting to have children could get treatments such as in vitro fertilization through the government under legislation beginning to move through Congress in its waning days.

On a voice vote, the Senate passed a bill Thursday to update the Veterans Affairs Department's medical coverage for one of the signature wounds of the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan -- trauma to a soldier's reproductive organs.

Nearly 2,000 service members suffered such wounds between 2003 and 2011. But when wounded veterans went to the VA for medical help in starting a family, they were told the VA doesn't provide that kind of care.

The House has a similar bill, and supporters say the Senate's action enhances the chances of it becoming law before Congress adjourns this month.