President Donald Trump has taken a significant step toward making in vitro fertilization (IVF) more accessible and affordable for American families. Speaking from Mar-a-Lago, Trump signed an executive order that prioritizes easing financial burdens associated with fertility treatments while promoting family growth. The directive orders policy recommendations within 90 days to address IVF costs, insurance coverage, and regulatory barriers that hinder access to the procedure.
Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt detailed the administration’s goals, explaining that the executive order is designed to “aggressively reduce out-of-pocket and health plan costs for such treatments.” According to the American Society for Reproductive Medicine, a single cycle of IVF in the U.S. can cost around $15,000, making it financially prohibitive for many families. Trump’s executive action seeks to provide relief for those facing infertility struggles while reinforcing his administration’s commitment to pro-family policies.
The order highlights the increasing challenges couples face when trying to conceive and calls on public policy to facilitate, rather than obstruct, family formation. “Today, many hopeful couples dream of starting a family, but as many as one in seven are unable to conceive a child,” the order states. “Despite their hopes and efforts, infertility struggles can make conception difficult, turning what should be a joyful experience into an emotional and financial struggle.” It goes on to emphasize that “Americans need reliable access to IVF and more affordable treatment options,” acknowledging the procedure’s role in giving families a path to parenthood.
Trump has framed his IVF stance as a reflection of Republican pro-family values, declaring in a campaign event, “We are the party for I.V.F.” He has also touted his administration’s commitment to ensuring insurance companies cover the procedure, reiterating, “We’re going to be mandating that the insurance company pay.” At a rally in Michigan, he took this a step further, promising, “your government will pay for or your insurance company will be mandated to pay for all costs associated with IVF treatment.”
This policy push follows a national debate over the role of IVF in American healthcare and law. The discussion intensified last February when the Alabama Supreme Court issued a ruling that media outlets mischaracterized as a ban on IVF. In reality, the court affirmed that frozen embryos qualify as children under Alabama’s Wrongful Death of a Minor Act, emphasizing the protection of unborn life rather than outlawing the procedure itself. The decision ignited backlash from pro-abortion activists while drawing praise from conservatives advocating for greater accountability in the fertility industry.
Critics of IVF argue that while the procedure provides hope to struggling couples, it often involves the destruction of embryos, an ethical concern for many religious and pro-life advocates. Emma Waters of The Heritage Foundation called the Alabama ruling a necessary step toward regulating the fertility industry, arguing for more oversight and conscience protections for those who object to the treatment on moral grounds. The executive order does not directly address these concerns but does leave room for debate, with Trump’s team acknowledging that policy recommendations will involve input from stakeholders, including pro-life organizations.
Trump has previously expressed openness to religious exemptions for businesses and individuals who object to IVF on moral grounds. In an October interview with EWTN’s Raymond Arroyo, he responded positively to the idea of conscience protections, saying, “It sounds, to me, like a pretty good idea, frankly.” He noted that while many Catholics and Christians support IVF, those with religious objections should have their concerns accommodated.
