Lawmakers in the United States Senate have rejected the Right to IVF Act for a second time.
The bill, S.4445, was introduced by Senate Democrats in June after the fertility treatment became a political talking point.
Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer brought the issue to the floor on Tuesday. The measure failed 51-44. The bill would have created national regulations ensuring healthcare providers could offer IVF without restrictions. Democrats have expressed concern that state-level laws defining the start of life as the moment a woman’s egg is fertilized could create roadblocks for patients seeking the treatment.
“For all of my Republican colleagues who claim to support IVF: Here you go. Vote on this. It is very simple. Americans want access to reproductive technologies," said Senator Tammy Duckworth of Illinois, who co-sponsored the bill. "Frankly, I don't want a felon, a convicted felon who has been accused of inappropriate behavior with women to be the guy to decide what to do with my life."
Duckworth’s allusion to former President Donald Trump exemplifies IVF’s recent transformation into a current political talking point. Both Trump and Vice President Kamala Harris discussed IVF during their Sept. 10 debate and while on the campaign trail. Harris argued that restrictions on abortion threaten people’s access to fertility treatments while Trump expressed his desire to make IVF free for women who need it.
“Because we want more babies, to put it very nicely,” said Trump at a campaign rally on Aug. 29, per CNBC. The Republican suggested either private insurance could be required to cover the costs, or federal funding could be devoted to the cause.
Senator Lisa Murkowski of Alaska and Senator Susan Collins of Maine once again both joined Democrats and voted in favor of the bill. To advance to the next chamber, S.4445 needed to receive 60 votes.
The bill previously failed in the Senate 48-47.
Harris condemned Senate Republicans for not voting in favor of S.4445, accusing the lawmakers of opposing reproductive rights for women.
“Republicans in Congress have once again made clear that they will not protect access to the fertility treatments many couples need to fulfill their dream of having a child,” she said in a statement, per The Guardian. “Congressional Republicans’ repeated refusal to protect access to IVF is not an isolated incident. Extremist so-called leaders have launched a full-on attack against reproductive freedom across our country.”
“Their opposition to a woman’s freedom to make decisions about her own body is extreme, dangerous and wrong,” she added. “Our administration will always fight to protect reproductive freedoms, which must include access to IVF.”
Democrats have blocked other efforts to aid Americans who may rely on IVF to have children. Senator Rick Scott of Florida, whose youngest daughter is currently undergoing IVF treatments, introduced the Increasing Value for Families (IVF) with HSAs Act. The bill would have decoupled Health Savings Accounts from high-deductible plans and doubled contribution limits to help Americans pay for IVF. The bill was blocked by Democrats in the Senate on Monday.
“I support IVF 100%, and the truth about IVF is that it is one of the few unifying policies almost all Democrats and Republicans agree with. It’s a wonderful thing that helps bring beautiful babies into the world and I’m fighting to make it more accessible and affordable for millions of Americans,” he said from the Senate floor.
“The real-world impact of my bill is that millions of Americans will be able to save more money in tax free accounts to pay for medical expenses like IVF,” Scott continued. “If the Democrats and the Senate are serious about ensuring opportunities for families, we can start today by allowing this good bill to pass. Unfortunately, Democrats refused to do so.”
