In a move aimed at broadening access to in vitro fertilization (IVF), President Donald Trump signed an executive order on Tuesday directing federal agencies to explore ways to lower the financial burden associated with the fertility treatment. The decision comes after Democrats spent the 2024 election season warning that Trump and congressional Republicans would work to restrict IVF access.
The executive order instructs the White House Domestic Policy Council to develop policy recommendations that will "protect IVF access and aggressively reduce out-of-pocket and health plan costs for such treatments," according to a White House fact sheet. The administration plans to prioritize solutions that ensure reliable IVF availability while addressing existing policies that may contribute to its high costs.
Political Pressures and GOP Strategy
Trump’s move is widely seen as a direct response to political pressure after Democrats weaponized the IVF issue during the campaign. The debate intensified after a 2024 Alabama Supreme Court ruling classified embryos as children under state law, sparking legal uncertainty that led to several IVF clinics shutting down. In response, Alabama Governor Kay Ivey, a Republican, signed legislation shielding IVF clinics from legal liability, a sign that GOP leaders sought to neutralize the controversy.
Republicans, recognizing that an anti-IVF stance could be politically damaging, quickly pivoted. The National Republican Senatorial Campaign urged Senate GOP candidates last year to "clearly and concisely reject efforts by the government to restrict IVF."
Following the executive order’s signing, White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt took to social media, declaring, “PROMISES MADE. PROMISES KEPT: President Trump just signed an Executive Order to Expand Access to IVF!”
Trump’s IVF Push and GOP’s Changing Stance
During his campaign, Trump repeatedly pledged to make IVF free, stating that either the government or private insurers would cover the costs. His pro-IVF position surprised some conservatives, particularly pro-life activists who oppose the procedure due to the destruction of unused embryos.
“I am announcing today that under the Trump administration, your government will pay for, or your insurance company will be mandated to pay for, all costs associated with IVF treatment,” Trump declared during the campaign, adding that his goal was to boost America’s birthrate.
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) reported that the U.S. fertility rate hit a historic low in 2023, falling 3% from the previous year. The Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) estimates that IVF treatments cost between $15,000 and $20,000 per cycle, with some women requiring multiple cycles to conceive. In 2021 alone, IVF resulted in 85,000 births.
At a Fox News town hall tailored to female voters, Trump even dubbed himself the "father" of IVF and claimed Republicans were stronger advocates for the treatment than Democrats. This came as part of a broader GOP effort to soften the party’s stance on reproductive issues, including the removal of a national abortion ban from the Republican Party’s 2024 platform.
Looking Ahead
Trump’s executive order marks a significant shift in the GOP’s approach to IVF, reflecting the party’s effort to counter Democratic attacks while addressing declining birth rates. While the order itself does not immediately change IVF policy, it signals a commitment to reducing financial barriers—a move likely to appeal to women and families struggling with fertility challenges.
