Donald Trump has signed an executive order to expand access to in vitro fertilization (IVF).
The order directs the domestic policy council to make recommendations to “aggressively” reduce the costs for accessing IVF, according to a White House fact sheet. Karoline Leavitt, the White House press secretary, said on Twitter/X that the order was evidence of the president’s “promises kept” – even though the order does not directly change any policy and does not, on its own, fulfill Trump’s campaign pledge to make the government or insurance companies cover IVF.
“Americans need reliable access to IVF and more affordable treatment options, as the cost per cycle can range from $12,000 to $25,000,” the fact sheet reads.
“It is the policy of my Administration to ensure reliable access to IVF treatment, including by easing unnecessary statutory or regulatory burdens to make IVF treatment drastically more affordable.”
During the 2024 presidential election, Trump recast his position on IVF as a strong supporter of the treatment, declaring himself the “father of IVF” while at the same time admitting he only recently discovered what the procedure involved.
Trump’s campaign promise to in effect make IVF freewas criticized by Democrats who accused him of softening his stance only after voters signaled broad support for reproductive rights.
After the US supreme court overturned Roe v Wade in a decision backed by three justices that Trump appointed, Republicans tried to distance themselves from the anti-abortion movement as pro-abortion rights supporters repeatedly won ballot measures even in red states.
Trump’s Tuesday order may now drive a further wedge between the Trump administration and the anti-abortion movement. The news of the order unleashed a torrent of complaints from anti-abortion activists, who are largely opposed to IVF because it can create unused embryos (which they consider to be people).
Kristan Hawkins, the president of Students for Life of America, tweeted that the news was “tragic” and compared IVF with eugenics.
“IVF turns children into a product to be created, sold, and discarded – violating their basic human rights,” tweeted Lila Rose, the leader of the anti-abortion group Live Action. In another tweet, she added: “IVF is NOT pro-life.”
