Mary Benefield 3rd Vice Chair | DeKalb County Republican Party
Mary Benefield 3rd Vice Chair | DeKalb County Republican Party
President Donald Trump has signed an executive order aimed at expanding access to in vitro fertilization (IVF) and reducing its costs. The administration's goal is to support family formation and address declining fertility rates in the nation.
The order directs the Domestic Policy Council to deliver a report within 90 days, outlining strategies for reliable IVF access and financial relief for aspiring parents. Presently, IVF costs range from $12,000 to $25,000 per cycle, with multiple cycles often necessary for success. Health insurance coverage for IVF remains limited, with only a quarter of employers offering it, and state-mandated coverage is inconsistent.
Federal IVF coverage is restricted to military personnel, veterans, and federal employees, leaving most citizens without support. Data from the Department of Health and Human Services shows over 85,000 infants were born through IVF in 2021. However, the U.S. fertility rate dropped by 3% in 2023 compared to 2022.
Trump also enacted legislation allowing new parents to withdraw up to $5,000 from retirement accounts without penalty for childbirth or adoption expenses. He stated: “Because we want more babies...we will also allow new parents to deduct major newborn expenses from their taxes.”
U.S. Senator Katie Britt expressed her approval of Trump's executive order: “IVF is fundamentally pro-family...I couldn’t be happier to see President Trump take this landmark step.”
Senator Britt added: “I remain grateful for President Trump’s bold leadership on this issue...Republicans will continue to fight for hardworking families.”
Minnesota Governor Tim Walz criticized Republicans on infertility issues, claiming conservatives aim to restrict IVF access—a subject he frequently discusses due to personal relevance. In August, Walz accused Republican VP nominee JD Vance of opposing IVF on X (formerly Twitter).
JD Vance refuted Walz's claims as falsehoods: “Today it came out that Tim Walz had lied about having a family via IVF.” Minnesota First Lady Gwen Walz clarified she did not use IVF for conception.
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