RESTORE Act
- Bill Number
- H.R. 3589
- Origin Chamber
- House
- Congress
- 119th Congress, Session 1
- Policy Area
- Health
- Status
- Introduced
- Latest Action
- 2025-05-23: Referred to the House Committee on Energy and Commerce.
- Last Updated
- 2026-06-15T19:55:08Z
AI-Generated Summary
Purpose
The RESTORE Act (Reproductive Empowerment and Support Through Optimal Restoration Act) aims to promote research, data collection, and education on reproductive health conditions—such as endometriosis, polycystic ovary syndrome, and infertility—that affect fertility and overall health. It emphasizes "restorative reproductive medicine," which focuses on diagnosing and treating underlying causes to restore natural reproductive function, rather than assisted reproductive technologies (ART) like in vitro fertilization. The bill seeks to improve access to non-invasive or minimally invasive care, training for medical professionals, and protections for providers with moral or religious objections to certain treatments.
Key Provisions
- Findings and Definitions (Secs. 2–3): Outlines the prevalence and impacts of reproductive health conditions (e.g., endometriosis causes pain and infertility with a 6–12 year average diagnosis delay; uterine fibroids can lead to heavy bleeding and pregnancy risks). Defines key terms, including:
- Infertility: Difficulty conceiving after 12 months (or 6 months for women over 35) without contraception, seen as a symptom of underlying issues.
- Restorative reproductive medicine: Approaches that restore normal body functions (e.g., through hormone tests, surgery, or lifestyle changes) without suppressing or bypassing natural processes.
- Fertility awareness-based methods: Evidence-based tracking of menstrual cycles using signs like temperature or cervical fluid to understand fertility.
- Excludes ART (procedures handling eggs, sperm, or embryos outside the body) from restorative methods.
- Protections for Health Care Providers (Sec. 4): Prohibits the federal government, states, or federally funded entities from discriminating against providers who refuse to participate in, refer for, or train in ART if it conflicts with their religious or moral beliefs.
- Literature Reviews and Reports on Standards of Care (Secs. 5–6): Requires the Assistant Secretary for Health (in the Department of Health and Human Services, or HHS) to issue triennial reports (starting 2 years after enactment) assessing:
- Peer-reviewed studies on restorative medicine referrals before ART.
- Access to fertility awareness training and information.
- Coverage of these treatments under public and private health plans.
- Similar reviews for diagnosing reproductive health conditions in women and men.
- Ensures patient privacy under existing laws.
- Expansion of Surveys and Data Collection (Sec. 7): Directs the CDC Director to evaluate and potentially update the National Survey of Family Growth to include questions on restorative health, reproductive conditions, infertility treatments, and fertility awareness methods. Triennial reports to Congress required (starting 3 years after enactment).
- Funding and Grant Access (Secs. 8–9):
- Amends Title X of the Public Health Service Act to make entities focused on restorative medicine eligible for family planning grants, regardless of prior ART experience.
- Expands the Teen Pregnancy Prevention program to include grants for restorative medicine, health education, and fertility awareness; requires a report on grant recipients 18 months after enactment.
- Training and Education Initiatives (Sec. 10): Mandates HHS coordination to train staff at the Reproductive Health National Training Center on restorative methods and conditions. Starting 2 years after enactment, Title X grantees must receive this training, including toolkits, videos, and fellowships (e.g., in NaProTECHNOLOGY, a surgical and medical approach to restore reproductive organs).
- Addressing Male Infertility (Sec. 11): Requires HHS to develop education and treatment programs focusing on lifestyle changes (e.g., diet, exercise) for male infertility causes like low sperm count, obesity, or hormonal issues. Report to Congress 18 months after enactment.
- Medical Coding and Reimbursement Updates (Sec. 12): Directs HHS, CDC, and others to revise diagnostic (ICD-10) and procedural codes within 1 year to accurately reflect restorative treatments (e.g., new codes for laparoscopic surgeries to remove endometriosis tissue or fibroids). Includes:
- Actuarial analysis for fair reimbursement rates under Medicare/Medicaid.
- Bundled payment models for comprehensive care (diagnostics, surgery, education).
- Codes for family planning services like cycle charting instruction.
- Research Expansion (Sec. 13): Requires HHS agencies (e.g., NIH, CDC, AHRQ) to coordinate and fund research on:
- Causes, diagnosis, and treatments for conditions like endometriosis and fibroids.
- Impacts of environmental factors (e.g., endocrine disruptors, microplastics) on fertility.
- Effectiveness of restorative methods for pregnancy success.
- Male infertility factors (e.g., substance use, varicoceles).
- Ongoing public report starting 2 years after enactment.
- Severability (Sec. 14): If any part is ruled unconstitutional, the rest remains in effect.
Significant Changes to Existing Law
- Amends Title X to broaden eligibility for family planning grants beyond traditional providers, prioritizing restorative approaches over ART-focused ones.
- Introduces mandatory triennial reports and survey expansions not previously required, shifting federal focus toward restorative care and data on under-researched conditions.
- Updates medical coding systems (ICD-10, CPT, HCPCS) to recognize and reimburse restorative procedures, which were previously underrepresented or misclassified.
- Adds new protections against discrimination for providers opting out of ART, building on existing conscience clauses but specifically targeting reproductive technologies.
Potential Impacts
- On Government Agencies: Increases workload for HHS, CDC, and NIH in research, reporting, training, and coding updates; expands Title X funding to new grantees, potentially reallocating resources from ART to restorative programs.
- On Citizens: Improves access to earlier diagnosis and treatment for reproductive conditions, potentially reducing infertility rates (affecting 15–16% of couples) and symptoms like pain or miscarriages. Enhances education on fertility awareness, benefiting women and men seeking natural family planning or conception. Could lower long-term health costs by addressing root causes but may limit ART options in some federally funded settings.
- On International Relations: Minimal direct impact, though expanded U.S. research on global issues like endocrine disruptors could influence international health standards or collaborations.
Main Stakeholders Affected
- Individuals with Reproductive Health Issues: Primarily women (and men) facing infertility or conditions like endometriosis; benefits those preferring non-ART options but may frustrate ART users.
- Health Care Providers: Doctors, clinics, and trainers specializing in restorative medicine gain funding and protection; ART providers may face indirect competition for resources.
- Government and Public Health Entities: HHS, CDC, NIH, and Title X grantees must implement new programs, surveys, and trainings.
- Insurers and Health Plans: Required to assess coverage for restorative treatments, potentially leading to broader reimbursements.
- Advocacy and Educational Groups: Organizations promoting fertility awareness or NaProTECHNOLOGY receive expanded grant opportunities.
Notable Legal, Constitutional, or Political Implications
- Legal: Strengthens provider conscience protections under federal law, potentially reducing lawsuits over refusals to provide ART; severability clause minimizes risks if challenged. Privacy safeguards align with HIPAA (Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act) to protect patient data.
- Constitutional: The anti-discrimination provision invokes First Amendment religious freedoms, which could face challenges if seen as limiting patient access to care, similar to debates over abortion refusals. No direct conflicts with Roe v. Wade precedents, as it focuses on infertility rather than abortion.
- Political: Promotes a shift toward "restorative" over "assisted" technologies, appealing to conservative views on natural health but possibly polarizing reproductive rights advocates who prioritize ART access. Could influence future funding debates in family planning, emphasizing male infertility and environmental factors for broader appeal.
This summary was generated by AI and may contain inaccuracies. Refer to the official source document for the authoritative text.
Sponsor
Rep. Harshbarger, Diana [R-TN-1]
Cosponsors (5)
Rep. Moore, Riley M. [R-WV-2], Rep. LaMalfa, Doug [R-CA-1], Rep. Babin, Brian [R-TX-36], Rep. Harris, Andy [R-MD-1], Rep. Begich, Nicholas J. [R-AK-At Large]
Recent Actions
- 2025-05-23: Referred to the House Committee on Energy and Commerce.
- 2025-05-23: Introduced in House
- 2025-05-23: Introduced in House
Bill Versions
- Reproductive Empowerment and Support Through Optimal Restoration Act — issued 2025-05-23 — PDF (24 pages)