More than a dozen military and veterans service organizations, including Iraq and Afghanistan Veterans of America, Gold Star Wives of America and the National Military Family Association, wrote to Congress in early October encouraging lawmakers to expand access to IVF in the final version of the annual defense authorization bill.

An expansion of coverage for fertility treatments for service members was left out of a compromise defense bill despite previous support in both chambers of Congress.

A recent study found 15% of the nation's more than 200,000 active-duty military women reported fertility issues. (Scripps News)