Sen. Tom Cotton, R-Ark., and most other Republicans are open to supporting a plan proposed by former President Donald Trump that would have either the government or insurance companies pay for in-vitro fertilization services. Cotton mentioned that supporting couples who are trying to use IVF or other fertility treatments is not controversial in principle, but he would need to evaluate the fiscal impact and affordability for taxpayers. This comes after Trump stated that if elected, his administration would mandate insurance companies to pay for fertility services like IVF.
Despite Cotton voting against the Right to IVF Act in June, which would have mandated IVF coverage in federal health care plans, he expressed support for a means-tested tax credit for Americans using fertility treatments. Sen. Lindsey Graham, R-S.C., also voiced support for a tax credit for fertility treatments but did not back Trump’s proposal for insurance mandates for IVF services.
IVF has become a political issue, with Democrats accusing Republicans of threatening access to fertility care. Earlier this year, the Alabama Supreme Court ruling that embryos are people led to fertility clinics in the state pausing IVF care, raising concerns among reproductive rights groups. Overall, discussions around public funding and insurance coverage for IVF treatments continue to be debated among politicians.
Photo credit
www.nbcnews.com
