President Donald Trump seeks to expand IVF coverage, after Tim Walz once said he was ‘anti-IVF’
President Donald Trump took a significant step on Tuesday by signing an executive order that aims to make in vitro fertilization (IVF) more affordable and accessible for Americans. The order directs the Domestic Policy Council to explore ways to reduce the cost and increase access to IVF treatments, which can be quite expensive, with each cycle costing between $12,000 to $25,000.
The executive order emphasizes the importance of providing support, awareness, and affordable options for fertility treatments to help families navigate their journey to parenthood with hope and confidence. Specifically, the order tasks the assistant to the president for domestic policy with developing policy recommendations within 90 days to protect IVF access and reduce out-of-pocket and health plan costs for IVF treatment.
This move comes amidst concerns from Democrats who feared that Trump would seek to ban IVF. Former Vice President Kamala Harris’ running mate in the 2024 election, Minnesota Gov. Tim Walz, accused the Trump administration of being “anti-IVF.” Walz specifically pointed to then-Senator JD Vance, who voted against the Right to IVF Act, citing his Catholic beliefs. However, Vance clarified that his religious views should not dictate public policy in a democratic society.
The Right to IVF Act, which would establish a nationwide right to IVF and other assisted reproductive technology, failed to pass in the Senate. Despite the political divide on this issue, the executive order signed by Trump signals a commitment to making IVF more accessible and affordable for all Americans.
IVF involves the fertilization of a woman’s eggs with sperm outside the body, creating embryos that are then implanted in the uterus. In 2021, over 85,000 babies were born through IVF. However, the high costs of IVF treatments are often not fully covered by health insurance, with only 25% of employers offering coverage to their employees.
Trump had previously announced plans to require insurance companies to cover the cost of IVF, stating that the policy was aimed at encouraging more births. This executive order underscores the importance of making IVF treatments more accessible to couples struggling with infertility.
In conclusion, President Trump’s executive order on IVF reflects a commitment to expanding access to fertility treatments and supporting families on their path to parenthood. By addressing the affordability and accessibility of IVF, the administration is taking a proactive step towards helping more Americans fulfill their dreams of starting a family.
