United States: As per the new executive order signed by President Trump on Tuesday, ensuring “reliable access” to in vitro fertilization treatment while making the procedure “drastically more affordable.”
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The White House press secretary Karoline Leavitt declared on X, “PROMISES MADE. PROMISES KEPT,” Yahoo News reported.
The order by the president directed that his domestic policy team, led by the adviser Vince Haley, give him “a list of policy recommendations on protecting IVF access and aggressively reducing out-of-pocket and health plan costs for IVF treatment” within 90 days. The deadline put forward is decided at May 19.
According to Trump’s statement after signing the order, “Fertilization, I’ve been saying that we’re going to do what we have to do, and I think that the women — and families, husbands — are very appreciative of it.”
The reason behind targeting IVF
The infertility procedure of IVF involves scientists collecting mature eggs from ovaries before combining them with sperm in a laboratory.
The cost per cycle averages USD 15,000. A large 1 in 7 rate of infertile couples exists, yet only a quarter of companies employing over 200 workers provide IVF coverage during treatment.
As per the order, Trump’s goal is to “make it easier for loving and longing mothers and fathers to have children.”
IVF: a hot topic during the 2024 campaign
Under Alabama state law, the Supreme Court recognized frozen embryos created in vitro fertilization procedures to have child status in February 2024, Yahoo News reported.
The ruling mandated legal responsibility for anyone who damages frozen embryos under the Wrongful Death Act.
After the court decision, Alabama fertility providers halted IVF procedures following their risk assessment of how the uncertainty would affect patients and providers.
Democrats issued a warning about the termination of federal abortion protection, which Roe v. Wade once established.
According to reports, in order to diffuse the issue, Trump, who often described himself as “the most pro-life president in American history” for appointing three conservative justices who ultimately helped overturn Roe— called on Alabama legislators to “find an immediate solution to preserve the availability of IVF.”
Through Wade, Republicans acquired the legal authority to limit popular fertility treatments in their states. He did.
During his August 2024 speech, Trump pledged that another presidential campaign would result in free IVF treatments for all US citizens.