On February 18, 2025, President Donald Trump signed an executive order aimed at expanding access to in vitro fertilization (IVF) and reducing its associated costs. This directive instructs government agencies to develop policy recommendations within 90 days to safeguard IVF availability and alleviate financial burdens on individuals and insurers. The order emphasizes the need to address existing policies that may contribute to elevated treatment expenses.
The order follows Trump’s previous pro-family sentiments, “Because we want more babies, to put it very nicely. And for this same reason, we will also allow new parents to deduct major newborn expenses from their taxes, so that parents that have a beautiful baby will be able, so we’re pro family. But the IVF treatments are expensive. It’s very hard for many people to do it and to get it, but I’ve been in favor of IVF, right from the beginning.”
During his campaign, President Trump pledged to make IVF treatments universally accessible, proposing that either the government or insurance companies cover the costs. Currently, IVF coverage varies by state, and even with insurance, treatments can be prohibitively expensive. Estimates suggest that implementing universal coverage could cost approximately $7 billion annually.
This initiative comes in response to concerns that recent legal developments, such as the Alabama Supreme Court’s ruling recognizing embryos as children, could complicate IVF procedures and access. The executive order aims to ensure that such legal interpretations do not hinder individuals seeking fertility treatments.
