After Boasting Support for IVF, Anti-Abortion Senators Block Legislation to Protect Access to IVF Treatment
The Right to IVF Act would lower costs and expand access to IVF treatment nationwide
WASHINGTON, DC –– Today, anti-abortion extremists in the Senate blocked the Right to IVF Act, legislation that would preserve access to IVF treatment and make the procedure more affordable for families across the country. In an attempt to distract from today’s vote, all 49 Senate Republicans signed onto a statement proclaiming support for IVF just hours before voting against the Right to IVF Act.
The vote comes nearly two years after the Supreme Court overturned Roe v. Wade jeopardized access to IVF treatment nationwide, and marks the second time in one week that anti-abortion lawmakers have voted to restrict access to reproductive health care.
In an effort to distance themselves from the fallout of overturning Roe, anti-abortion lawmakers continue to assert false claims supporting protecting access to IVF treatment. In reality, today’s vote marks the third time in five months that anti-abortion extremists in the Senate have blocked legislation that would protect access to IVF treatment. Instead of delivering on their promise to protect IVF, by passing legislation like the Right to IVF Act, anti-abortion lawmakers like Senators Katie Britt of Alabama and Ted Cruz of Texas are pushing bogus bills that fall far short of preserving access to IVF treatment.
Protecting access to IVF treatment is overwhelmingly popular. According to recent polling 4 in 5 Americans believe IVF should be legal, and 2 in 3 disagree with the Alabama Supreme Court’s ruling earlier this year that embryos could be legally considered as children. Still, anti-abortion lawmakers continue to block legislation that would protect access to IVF across the country.
Following today’s vote, IVF patients from across the country expressed frustration and shared how ongoing attacks on reproductive freedom have affected their families.
“The opportunity to grow my family on my own terms means a lot to me, especially after being robbed of the power to manage my last pregnancy by extremist lawmakers in Wisconsin,” said Dr. Anna Igler, an OB/GYN based in Green Bay who was forced to travel to Colorado for abortion care after receiving a devastating fetal diagnosis during her last pregnancy. “I am outraged that the same lawmakers who claim to support growing families like mine continue to stand in the way of protecting access to IVF treatment. It’s hypocrisy, plain and simple.”
“Deciding to become a parent and going through IVF treatment is a deeply personal experience.,” said Anne Angus from Montana who adjusted her own IVF treatment timeline when anti-abortion lawmakers began targeting access to IVF. “On top of the physically grueling process, patients like me now have to worry about whether they will even be able to continue treatment. This is a decision that shouldn't be happening on anyone else’s timeline; it should be on mine. Instead of empowering people like me who are trying to expand their families, extremist lawmakers are threatening it. ”
“I am sure that Senator Britt would applaud me if I told her how badly I want to be a mom,” said Emily Capilouto, an IVF patient in Alabama whose treatment was halted after the state’s Supreme Court ruled that embryos could be legally considered as children. “My Senator would applaud and then vote against protecting access to IVF treatment for people like me. It doesn’t make sense.”
“Anti-abortion lawmakers love to brag about their support for growing families, but the truth is that these same lawmakers continue to take actions that restrict reproductive freedom and attacks on IVF are just another way for them to chip away at access to comprehensive reproductive health care,” said Veronica Ingham, Senior Campaigns Director for Free & Just. “As we await a decision in Idaho and Moyle, et al. v. United States, the case that could put lifesaving emergency care out of reach for women across the country, we must remember that extremist lawmakers will not stop until abortion is banned across the country.”
If you are interested in speaking with any of the storytellers quoted above, please contact kelly@freeandjust.us.
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Free & Just is fighting to stop attacks on reproductive freedom and rights. We’re working with people across the country to share real stories to show the devastating consequences of attacks on our reproductive freedom. We all deserve the right to control our bodies and lives. That’s why we’re sharing our stories, raising our voices, and fighting for our future.