President Donald Trump has taken a significant step in expanding access to in vitro fertilization (IVF) services by signing an executive order on Tuesday.
This move fulfills a campaign promise and counters the unfounded claims from Democrats that he intended to prohibit the fertility procedure. The White House fact sheet outlines that the executive order aims to "protect IVF access and aggressively reduce out-of-pocket and health plan costs for such treatments."
It highlights the challenges faced by couples, noting that "as many as one in seven couples trying to have a baby are unable to conceive," with the financial burden of IVF treatments ranging from $12,000 to $25,000 per cycle, often without coverage from employers or states.
As reported by The Washington Free Beacon, former Democratic vice-presidential candidate Tim Walz had previously accused Trump of wanting to ban IVF, despite Trump's clear promise to expand access.
Walz also claimed that he and his wife had their children through IVF, although they were actually conceived via intrauterine insemination, a less invasive method. Additionally, Walz's running mate, former Vice President Kamala Harris, suggested that Trump opposed the procedure.
The executive order arrives at a time when the United States is experiencing a record low fertility rate, which decreased by 3 percent in 2023 alone, continuing a decade-long downward trend. According to the National Center for Health Statistics, the fertility rate consistently declined by approximately 2 percent annually from 2014 to 2020. In 2021, IVF accounted for the birth of over 85,000 infants, as noted in the White House fact sheet.
Throughout his presidency, Trump has consistently advocated for government measures to support parents. His first term saw the doubling of the child tax credit and an expansion of its eligibility.
Furthermore, he signed a provision allowing new parents to withdraw up to $5,000 from their retirement accounts without penalty upon the birth or adoption of a child. This latest executive order underscores Trump's commitment to addressing the needs of American families and ensuring that they have access to the necessary resources to grow and thrive.
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