States Expand Access to In Vitro Fertilization Amid Lawsuit Fallout

Strategic Insights -

As the Alabama Supreme Court ruling that shook the nation's IVF laws more than a year ago, lawmakers across the country continue to address questions surrounding the procedure. Tennessee, Virginia, and California join Georgia in passing IVF protection laws, demonstrating a clear divide among conservatives over how to address the treatment. The new laws take effect in the coming months, and advocates hope to build on these efforts to expand IVF access.

Key Takeaways:

  • Tennessee, Virginia, and California have passed laws that protect and expand access to in vitro fertilization (IVF) in the coming months.
  • The laws in Georgia and Tennessee are intentionally short and do not mention "abortion," stipulate an embryo's personhood or grant financial assistance.
  • The Georgia IVF protection bill was sponsored by state Rep. Lehman Franklin (R), who personally struggled with infertility and wanted to ensure the bill's language was simple and clean.
  • The new laws in these states join Georgia in passing IVF protection laws, demonstrating a clear divide among conservatives over how to address the treatment.
  • Advocates hope to build on these efforts to expand IVF access, citing the importance of understanding the climate, power map, and realities without further or creating harm to families.
  • The Alabama Supreme Court ruling has cast uncertainty over IVF protections, with some antiabortion advocates criticizing lawmakers who support legal protections for IVF providers.

Statistics:

  • Over 100,000 people use IVF annually in the United States (Source: American Society for Reproductive Medicine).
  • The Alabama Supreme Court ruling has prompted lawmakers across the country to reevaluate reproductive health restrictions.
  • The new laws in Georgia, Tennessee, Virginia, and California will provide protection and access to IVF for tens of thousands of individuals and families.
  • The cost of IVF can be upwards of $20,000 per cycle, with California's new law requiring some group health plans to cover fertility treatments, including IVF (Source: California State Health Bill).
  • The Alabama Sanctity of Life Amendment, passed in 2018, has cast uncertainty over IVF protections and was seen as targeting abortion (Source: Alabama State Legislature).
  • The Georgia IVF protection bill took effect on Tuesday, while the laws in Tennessee and Virginia will take effect in the coming months.

Sources:

  • "White House" (no source URL provided)
  • "Tennessee legislature website" (no source URL provided)
  • American Society for Reproductive Medicine (ASRM)
  • California State Health Bill
  • Alabama State Legislature
  • Georgia State Legislature