Despite campaign pledge, Trump IVF coverage plan has no clear path

A key promise from President Donald Trump’s 2024 campaign to expand insurance coverage for in vitro fertilization is still on hold with no legislation in place, according to the Washington Post. In vitro fertilization, or IVF, is a medical procedure where an egg is fertilized by sperm outside the body, then implanted in the uterus to assist with pregnancy. It is often used by individuals or couples experiencing fertility challenges.

Trump’s plan to expand access to IVF

Trump had pledged to require insurance companies to cover IVF, which can cost between $12,000 and $25,000 per cycle.

In February, he signed an executive order aimed at lowering those costs and increasing access, describing the move as a way to “ensure reliable access to IVF treatment, including by easing unnecessary statutory or regulatory burdens to make IVF treatment drastically more affordable.”

Now, White House officials told the Post that while the issue remains a priority, the administration lacks the legal authority to move forward without Congress. They said an executive order alone does not provide the power needed to mandate insurance coverage.

IVF bill introduced in US Senate

Sen. Tammy Duckworth, D-Ill., introduced the Protect IVF Act, a bill that would create federal protections for patients, providers and insurers involved in fertility care.

It would give patients the right to seek treatment without burdensome state restrictions and shield providers who follow recognized medical standards. Insurers could choose to cover fertility treatments, but would not be required to do so.

Future of IVF covered by insurers on hold

According to the Washington Post, White House officials are stepping back from earlier discussions about requiring insurance plans under the Affordable Care Act to cover IVF for the 50 million Americans enrolled.

During the 2024 campaign, Trump repeatedly voiced support for IVF coverage but did not provide specific details or timelines.

In an August 2024 interview with NBC News, he said, “We are going to be, under the Trump administration, we are going to be paying for that treatment. We’re going to be mandating that the insurance company pay.”

Public support for IVF

Public opinion appears broadly supportive of IVF. A Pew Research Center survey in 2024 found that 70% of U.S. adults say access to IVF is a good thing. Just 8% view it negatively, while 22% are unsure.

That support also spans political lines. About 63% of Republicans and Republican-leaning independents said IVF access is a good thing, compared with 79% of Democrats and Democratic leaners.

Men and women expressed similar views, with 70% of women and 69% of men in favor.

The political debate around IVF intensified after a February 2024 ruling by the Alabama Supreme Court, which determined that frozen embryos could be considered children under state law. The decision sparked national concern about the legal status of embryos and raised questions about access to fertility treatments.

Birth rate in the US

The total number of births in the United States rose by 1% from 2023 to 2024, reaching 3,628,934, according to data from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.

Despite the increase in total births, the general fertility rate declined by 1%. In 2024, there were 53.8 births for every 1,000 women ages 15 to 44, down from 54.5 the year before.

Birth rates decreased among women ages 15 to 34 and remained unchanged for those between 35 and 39. However, women ages 40 to 44 saw a slight increase in birth rates during the same period.