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Trump Signs Executive Order to Lower IVF Costs

President Donald Trump has taken a significant step to enhance access to in vitro fertilization (IVF) by signing an executive order aimed at lowering treatment costs associated with this crucial fertility procedure. The order addresses the pressing need for Americans to access more affordable IVF options, highlighting that the cost per cycle can be as high as $25,000. “Providing support, awareness, and access to affordable fertility treatments can help these families navigate their path to parenthood with hope and confidence,” the order states.

As part of this initiative, the president has directed his domestic policy advisor to prepare a set of policy recommendations within 90 days that will focus on safeguarding access to IVF and reducing out-of-pocket expenses for patients.

IVF has emerged as a pertinent issue during the ongoing 2024 presidential campaign. In Alabama, legislative measures were recently put in place to protect IVF providers from legal repercussions, following a state Supreme Court ruling recognizing frozen embryos as children under state law. Trump has openly expressed his support for the availability of IVF, reinforcing its importance in contemporary reproductive health discussions. Furthermore, a recent poll by the Associated Press-NORC Center revealed broad public backing for IVF, with about 60% of U.S. adults in favor of protecting access to this treatment.

According to the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, assisted reproductive technologies such as IVF accounted for approximately 2% of all births in the US in 2018. This underscores IVF’s growing significance as a viable solution for couples struggling with infertility.

Understanding IVF: A Common Reproductive Solution

IVF is often used as a treatment option when a woman encounters difficulties conceiving, typically after other, less invasive treatments have not succeeded. The process entails retrieving eggs from a woman’s ovaries, fertilizing them with sperm in a laboratory setting, and then transferring one or more embryos to the uterus in hopes of achieving pregnancy.

The IVF procedure is cyclical and may require multiple attempts. It can utilize a couple’s genetic material or donor eggs and sperm, depending on individual circumstances.

Insurance coverage for IVF varies considerably. Many large employers are increasingly offering IVF benefits to attract and retain employees, even extending coverage to LGBTQ+ couples and single women. However, government-funded programs like Medicaid largely limit infertility treatment coverage, a challenge particularly pronounced among smaller employers.

Critics argue that this inconsistency in coverage results in a healthcare divide that restricts access to those who cannot afford the substantial costs on their own.

The History and Evolution of IVF

The first baby born through IVF was delivered in England in 1978. In the United States, Elizabeth Carr was born in 1981 in Norfolk, Virginia, after her mother, Judith Carr, underwent IVF following several difficult pregnancies that led to the removal of her fallopian tubes. Despite initial resistance and controversy surrounding the practice, IVF centers began to open across the country, with at least 169 operating by 1988.

While the usage of IVF expanded over the years, opposition to the technology, particularly from anti-abortion advocates, has lingered. Margaret Marsh, a history professor, notes that although some in the anti-abortion movement accepted IVF as a fertility treatment, there has been a resurgence of opposition following the overturn of Roe v. Wade in 2022.

The IVF Procedure: A Closer Look

IVF generally involves hormonal treatments to stimulate ovulation, allowing for multiple eggs to be retrieved from the ovaries. Fertilization occurs in a lab, where doctors might add sperm to the eggs or inject a single sperm into each egg. The fertilized eggs develop for several days, transforming into blastocysts, which can then be implanted in the uterus or preserved for future use. Dr. Jason Griffith, a reproductive endocrinologist, explains that a developing embryo significantly increases in cell count from the time of fertilization to the point of transfer.

Moreover, stored embryos can remain cryogenically preserved for several years, with advanced techniques ensuring their viability after thawing. Facilities that house frozen embryos implement rigorous monitoring and security measures, ensuring compliance with safety standards and preparedness for potential power outages.

Source
abcnews.go.com