Senate Democrats Introduce Legislation to Establish Nationwide Right to In-Vitro Fertilization (IVF)

Strategic Insights -

U.S. Senators Tammy Duckworth (D-IL), Patty Murray (D-WA), Cory Booker (D-NJ), and Senate Democratic Leader Chuck Schumer (D-NY) have led 25 of their Senate Democratic colleagues in introducing legislation that would establish a nationwide right to in-vitro fertilization (IVF). The Protect IVF Act aims to protect patients' rights to access IVF services, doctors' rights to provide IVF treatment in accordance with medical standards, and insurance carriers' rights to cover IVF without prohibition, limitation, interference, or impediment. This legislation comes in response to Republicans' ongoing assault against reproductive freedom, which has threatened Americans' access to IVF services.

Key Takeaways:

  • The Protect IVF Act would establish a statutory right for patients to access IVF services nationwide, protecting against state efforts to limit access.
  • The legislation would also give doctors the right to provide IVF treatment in accordance with medical standards and ensure insurance carriers cover IVF without prohibition, limitation, interference, or impediment.
  • The Protect IVF Act has been endorsed by multiple organizations, including the American Society for Reproductive Medicine, RESOLVE: The National Infertility Association, and the American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists.
  • Senator Tammy Duckworth has made protecting reproductive freedom a top priority and has previously introduced the Right to IVF Act, which was blocked by Senate Republicans.
  • Duckworth has also advocated for the Senate to change its rules to allow her to bring her infant onto the Senate floor in 2018.

Statistics:

  • 25 Senate Democrats have cosponsored the Protect IVF Act.
  • The legislation has been endorsed by 15 organizations, including medical associations and advocacy groups.
  • Since the Alabama court ruling in February 2024, worry about the future of IVF has increased, according to the American Society for Reproductive Medicine.
  • Senator Duckworth has introduced legislation to protect access to IVF for hopeful parents, Veterans, and federal employees.
  • The Protect IVF Act aims to lower costs for middle-class families across the country.

Sources:

  • United States Senator for Illinois Tammy Duckworth
  • United States Senator for Washington Patty Murray
  • United States Senator for New Jersey Cory Booker
  • Senate Democratic Leader Chuck Schumer
  • The American Society for Reproductive Medicine
  • RESOLVE: The National Infertility Association
  • Endocrine Society
  • MomsRising
  • Indivisible
  • What to Expect Project
  • Legal Momentum: The Women's Legal Defense and Education Fund
  • National Asian Pacific American Women's Forum
  • American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists
  • National Center for Lesbian Rights
  • Center for Reproductive Rights
  • National Women's Law Center