Nationwide Right to IVF Legislation Faces Second Vote in Senate as Democrats Push Women’s Health Issues

Senate to Vote on Nationwide Right to In Vitro Fertilization

In an attempt to spotlight women’s health issues and create a contrast between Vice President Kamala Harris and former President Donald Trump, Democrats are pushing for a Senate vote on legislation that would establish a nationwide right to in vitro fertilization (IVF). This comes after the Alabama Supreme Court ruled that frozen embryos can be considered children under state law, causing several clinics to suspend IVF treatments until legal protections were put in place.

The bill, introduced by Senator Tammy Duckworth of Illinois, aims to not only increase access to IVF but also lower costs. Democrats warn that with the U.S. Supreme Court overturning the right to an abortion in 2022, IVF could be the next target. Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer expressed concern about the “hard right” setting its sights on IVF.

However, Republicans argue against the bill, stating that the federal government should not dictate what states can do. Most Republicans voted against the legislation, dismissing it as an unserious effort. Despite this, Republicans have been quick to counter Democrats on the issue, with Trump claiming to be a leader on IVF and announcing vague plans to require insurance companies or the federal government to cover the cost of the fertility treatment.

The issue has become a potential vulnerability for Republicans, as some state laws passed by their own party grant legal personhood to embryos destroyed in the IVF process. Senator Duckworth, who has personally used IVF to have her two children, has been leading the Senate’s efforts on the legislation and expressed frustration towards her GOP colleagues after the first vote blocking the bill.

Republicans have attempted to offer alternatives, such as legislation to discourage states from enacting bans on IVF, but these bills have been blocked by Democrats who argue that they do not go far enough. Senators Katie Britt of Alabama and Ted Cruz of Texas even proposed a bill to threaten the withholding of Medicaid funding for states that ban IVF, while Senator Rick Scott of Florida proposed expanding the flexibility of health savings accounts.

As the Senate gears up for a second vote on the IVF legislation, it remains unlikely to pass in this Congress. However, Democrats hope to use the vote as a means to pressure Republican congressional candidates and highlight the differences between Harris and Trump on the issue. This ongoing debate showcases the importance of IVF as a women’s health issue and highlights the differing approaches of the two major political parties.