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Politics

Trump Pledges Federal or Insurance Coverage for IVF Treatments

Friday 30 August 2024 - 09:25

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Republican presidential nominee Donald Trump has announced that if he returns to the White House, in-vitro fertilization (IVF) treatments will be covered by insurance companies or the government. This new campaign pledge comes as a response to Democratic allegations that Republican-led abortion restrictions could jeopardize access to fertility treatments.

"I was always for IVF. Right from the beginning, as soon as we heard about it," Trump told NBC News on Thursday.

Trump's stance on IVF could potentially alienate some conservative anti-abortion activists who advocate for banning IVF due to the discarding of unused human embryos. However, Trump remained firm in his commitment during the NBC interview.

"Under the Trump administration, we are going to be paying for that treatment," Trump stated. "Or we're going to be mandating that the insurance company pay."

IVF treatments are notoriously expensive, often costing around $20,000 (£15,000) per round, and are rarely covered by insurance in the United States. Trump did not provide details on how this policy would be implemented.

The Harris-Walz campaign quickly responded to Trump's announcement, attributing the overturning of Roe v. Wade to Trump's Supreme Court appointments. "Because Trump overturned Roe v. Wade, IVF is already under attack and women’s freedoms have been ripped away in states across the country," said Harris campaign spokeswoman Sarafina Chitika.

Trump has previously taken credit for the Supreme Court's decision to overturn Roe v. Wade, posting online in May 2023, "I was able to kill Roe v Wade." However, he has since attempted to distance himself from his record on abortion as Harris capitalizes on voter concerns about reproductive rights.

In the interview, Trump also revealed his intention to vote against a Florida state ballot measure that would prohibit abortion after six weeks, with some exceptions. "I think the six-week [ban] is too short. There has to be more time," he said. "I am going to be voting that we need more than six weeks."

IVF became a contentious issue in America's abortion debate in February when the Republican-controlled Alabama Supreme Court ruled that frozen embryos created through IVF are considered children under state law. Trump called on Alabama lawmakers to "quickly find an immediate solution to preserve the availability of IVF in Alabama," leading to the passage of a protective law in March.

According to a Pew Survey last year, 42% of Americans have either used IVF treatments or known someone who did. This percentage increases with income, with 45% among middle-income Americans and 59% for those with high incomes. These individuals are more likely to be white Americans who vote Republican, a demographic Trump hopes to win back after losing their support in 2020.

Trump announced his new position at a rally in Michigan on Thursday, stating, "Your government will pay for, or your insurance company will be mandated to pay for, all costs associated with IVF treatment."

Democrats, however, remain skeptical. "Americans have seen with their own eyes how Donald Trump overturned Roe v Wade and paved the way for extreme Maga Republicans to restrict IVF and pass cruel abortion bans across the country, hurting women and families," said Democratic National Committee Spokesperson Aida Ross in a statement.

As the election approaches, the debate over reproductive rights and IVF coverage continues to be a pivotal issue, with both parties vying for voter support.