Perspective: Why are Republicans impeding IVF safeguards that numerous citizens support?
This week, I journeyed from my native state of New York to Washington D.C., where I recounted my story and vigorously supported the Right to IVF Act, which Republican senators rejected in a recent vote on Thursday. The legislation aimed to establish a nationwide mandate for IVF services and insurance coverage, making these treatments more accessible and affordable for millions of people, including veterans and those serving in the military. Fertility treatment is a lifeline for many Americans striving to create their families, as it was for me.
Chances are you or someone you know has encountered infertility - it affects approximately 1 in 6 individuals globally. Despite the widespread need for medical assistance to have a family, many struggle to access affordable care. My own path to motherhood was a long and challenging journey, both emotionally and economically. But it's not just a deeply personal issue; it significantly impacts the future of our nation. The United States' birth rate is decreasing swiftly, down 2% last year. Data reveals a growing trend of older women giving birth. More people postpone starting families until after establishing their careers, and fertility declines as women enter their 30s. An aging and diminishing population raises grave concerns about a suitable workforce to provide care for the elderly and contribute to Social Security.
Infertility affects Americans from both political sides, and access to this sort of medical help deserves bipartisan backing, given the broad support for IVF and insurance coverage for fertility treatments. Yet, Senate Republicans blocked the Right to IVF Act, viewing it as intrusive legislation and a political stunt.
Certain conservative lawmakers assert life begins at conception — the same outlook that underpinned the Alabama Supreme Court ruling that embryos used in IVF are children and those destroying them could be charged with wrongful death. This perspective still persists among certain groups. For instance, yesterday, the Southern Baptists voted to denounce IVF treatments.
Republican lawmakers should instead pay heed to their constituents and collaborate with Democratic Senators Cory Booker of New Jersey, Tammy Duckworth of Illinois, and Patty Murray of Washington, the creators of the Right to IVF Act.
As of 2023, only 21 states and Washington D.C., have implemented laws requiring at least some insurance coverage for fertility care. The majority of plans providing such coverage have limitations. My home state of New York only mandates coverage for large corporate plans. Tricare, the health insurance for military members and their families - serving over 10 million people - doesn't cover assisted reproductive technology services, including IVF. Ergo, the Affordable Care Act defines 10 essential benefits that must be covered, including pregnancy, childbirth, and maternity care. However, assisted reproductive care is excluded.
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We should champion Americans yearning for children and never force them to choose between financial stability and having a family. I know from personal experience how problematic it can be. My husband and I underwent several rounds of IVF, depleting our savings since our corporate health care plan didn't cover it back then. After our fourth round of IVF, I got a new job with a company based in Seattle that included IVF coverage. That coverage allowed us to try one final time, leading to the birth of our daughter, Carolina, who will soon celebrate her [six] birthday.
If you're a Republican ardently concerned about this issue, I implore you to connect with your legislators and voice your support for the Right to IVF Act. Enable your fellow citizens to experience the overwhelming joy of uttering those four momentous words: "I love you, Mommy."
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Despite the broad support for IVF and insurance coverage for fertility treatments among the public, some conservative lawmakers view the Right to IVF Act as intrusive legislation and a political stunt. These Opponents arguably hold strong Opinions against interfering with life from conception, which can influence their stance on IVF and related procedures.
