[Federal Register Volume 82, Number 33 (Tuesday, February 21, 2017)]
[Rules and Regulations]
[Pages 11152-11153]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2017-03319]


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DEPARTMENT OF VETERANS AFFAIRS

38 CFR Part 17

RIN 2900-AP94


Fertility Counseling and Treatment for Certain Veterans and 
Spouses, Correction

AGENCY: Department of Veterans Affairs.

ACTION: Interim final rule; correcting amendment.

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SUMMARY: The Department of Veterans Affairs published in the Federal 
Register on January 19, 2017, an interim final rulemaking adding a new 
section authorizing in vitro fertilization (IVF) for a veteran with a 
service-connected disability that results in the inability of the 
veteran to procreate without the use of fertility treatment. In 
addition, we added a new section authorizing VA to provide fertility 
counseling and treatment using assisted reproductive technologies 
(ART), including IVF, to a spouse of a veteran with a service-connected 
disability that results in the inability of the veteran to procreate 
without the use of fertility treatment. These sections contain an error 
regarding the expiration date VA's authority to provide health care 
services. This document corrects the errors and does not make any 
substantive change to the content of the interim final rule.

DATES: Effective: February 21, 2017.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Patricia M. Hayes, Ph.D. Chief 
Consultant, Women's Health Services, Patient Care Services, Veterans 
Health Administration, Department of Veterans Affairs, 810 Vermont Ave. 
NW., Washington, DC 20420. (202) 461-0373. (This is not a toll-free 
number.)

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: VA published an interim final rule at 82 FR 
6275 (January 19, 2017) that implemented section 260 of the Continuing 
Appropriations and Military Construction, Veterans Affairs, and Related 
Agencies Appropriations Act, 2017, and Zika Response and Preparedness 
Act (Pub. L. 114-223) as it pertains to fertility counseling and 
treatment for certain veterans and spouses. This law states that VA may 
use appropriated funds available to VA for the Medical Services account 
to provide fertility counseling and treatment using assisted 
reproductive technology (ART) to a veteran with a service-connected 
disability that results in the inability of the veteran to procreate 
without the use of fertility treatment, and to the spouse of such 
veteran. The ART treatments referred to in this law are those relating 
to reproductive assistance provided to a member of the Armed Forces who 
incurs a serious injury or illness on active duty pursuant to title 10 
of the United States Code (U.S.C.) section 1074(c)(4)(A), as described 
in a policy memorandum issued by the Assistant Secretary of Defense for 
Health Affairs on April 3, 2012, titled ``Policy for Assisted 
Reproductive Services for the Benefit of Seriously or Severely Ill/
Injured (Category II or III) Active Duty Service Members,'' and the 
guidance issued to implement such policy, including any limitations on 
the amount of benefits available to each eligible member.
    VA added new Sec.  17.380 which states that IVF may be provided 
when clinically appropriate to a veteran who has a service-connected 
disability that results in the inability of the veteran to procreate 
without the use of fertility treatment, as well as a spouse of such 
veteran. IVF services available to such veterans are the same as those 
provided by DoD to a member of the Armed Forces who incurs a serious 
injury or illness on active duty pursuant to 10 U.S.C. 1074(c)(4)(A), 
as described in DoD policy guidance, including any limitations on the 
amount of such benefits available to such a member. Fertility 
counseling and treatment other than IVF is available to veterans as 
part of the medical benefits package at Sec.  17.38.
    We also added new Sec.  17.412 which states that VA may provide 
fertility counseling and treatment using ART to a spouse of a veteran 
with a service-connected disability that results in the inability of 
the veteran to procreate without the use of fertility treatment to the 
extent such services are available to enrolled veterans under the 
medical benefits package. It also states that VA may provide IVF to a 
spouse of a veteran with a service-connected disability that results in 
the inability of the veteran to procreate without the use of fertility 
treatment. Such health care services may be provided when clinically 
appropriate and consistent with the benefits relating to reproductive 
assistance provided to a member of the Armed Forces who incurs a 
serious injury or illness on

[[Page 11153]]

active duty as described in DoD policy guidance.
    In paragraph (b) of both Sec. Sec.  17.380 and 17.412 we 
incorrectly stated that authority to provide health care services under 
these sections expires on September 30, 2017, the end of fiscal year 
2017. In this correction, we amend both paragraphs to reflect that 
authority to provide health care services under these sections expires 
on September 30, 2018.

Signing Authority

    The Secretary of Veterans Affairs, or designee, approved this 
document and authorized the undersigned to sign and submit the document 
to the Office of the Federal Register for publication electronically as 
an official document of the Department of Veterans Affairs. Gina S. 
Farrisee, Deputy Chief of Staff, Department of Veterans Affairs, 
approved this document on February 15, 2017, for publication.

List of Subjects in 38 CFR Part 17

    Administrative practice and procedure, Alcohol abuse, Alcoholism, 
Claims, Day care, Dental health, Drug abuse, Government contracts, 
Grant programs--health, Grant programs--veterans, Health care, Health 
facilities, Health professions, Health records, Homeless, Medical and 
Dental schools, Medical devices, Medical research, Mental health 
programs, Nursing homes, Reporting and recordkeeping requirements, 
Travel and transportation expenses, Veterans.

    Dated: February 15, 2017.
Janet Coleman,
Chief, Office of Regulation Policy & Management, Office of the 
Secretary, Department of Veterans Affairs.

    For the reasons set out in the preamble, VA is correcting 38 CFR 
part 17 by making the following correcting amendments:

PART 17--MEDICAL

0
1. The authority citation for part 17 continues to read as follows:

    Authority:  38 U.S.C. 501, and as noted in specific sections.
    Section 17.38 is also issued under 38 U.S.C. 101, 501, 1701, 
1705, 1710, 1710A, 1721, 1722, 1782, and 1786.
    Sections 17.380 and 17.412 are also issued under sec. 260, 
Public Law 114-223, 130 Stat. 857.
    Section 17.415 is also issued under 38 U.S.C. 7301, 7304, 7402, 
and 7403.
    Sections 17.640 and 17.647 are also issued under sec. 4, Public 
Law 114-2, 129 Stat. 30.
    Sections 17.641 through 17.646 are also issued under 38 U.S.C. 
501(a) and sec. 4, Public Law 114-2, 129 Stat. 30.


Sec.  17.380  [Amended]

0
2. In Sec.  17.380 paragraph (b), remove ``2017'' and add in its place 
``2018''.


Sec.  17.412  [Amended]

0
3. In Sec.  17.412 paragraph (b), remove ``2017'' and add in its place 
``2018''.

[FR Doc. 2017-03319 Filed 2-17-17; 8:45 am]
 BILLING CODE 8320-01-P