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U.S. President Donald Trump signed an executive order aimed at expanding access to in vitro fertilization (IVF) and reducing treatment costs. The order directs the administration to develop policy recommendations within 90 days to protect IVF access and lower expenses. However, it does not specify funding sources.
Currently, most states do not mandate insurance coverage for IVF, which involves fertilizing eggs and sperm in a lab. Even with insurance, costs can range from $12,000 to $25,000 per cycle, often requiring multiple attempts. The White House stated that over 85,000 babies were born through IVF in 2021, citing data from the Department of Health and Human Services.
Trump’s order seeks to remove unnecessary legal and regulatory hurdles that drive up costs, reinforcing his campaign promise to ensure government or insurance-backed IVF funding. The U.S. fertility rate has been declining, dropping 3% in 2023 and averaging a 2% annual decrease between 2014 and 2020. In 2022, the birth rate was 1.67 births per woman, below the 2.1 replacement rate necessary for population stability without immigration.
IVF became a key election issue following a controversial Alabama Supreme Court ruling that classified embryos as children, raising concerns about embryo storage and transportation. The decision led some patients to consider moving their embryos out of the state. Senate Republicans blocked Democratic-led IVF protection legislation twice in 2024, arguing that access was not at risk.
Trump’s executive order mandates a review of policies contributing to high IVF costs, including those requiring legislative changes. His initiative underscores the growing political focus on reproductive healthcare and its impact on families struggling with infertility.
