In a significant announcement at a campaign rally in Potterville, Michigan, former President Donald Trump declared that under a future Trump administration, the government or insurance companies would cover all expenses related to in vitro fertilization (IVF) treatments.
“We want to encourage more births, so we’ll ensure that IVF treatments are fully covered,” Trump stated. He also proposed allowing new parents to deduct substantial newborn expenses from their taxes, emphasizing his administration’s pro-family stance.
Trump did not outline specifics on how these IVF treatments would be funded. He reinforced his position on the proposal during a town hall in La Crosse, Wisconsin, addressing criticism in light of a recent controversial ruling by the Alabama Supreme Court regarding frozen embryos. Trump asserted his strong support for IVF, countering allegations of opposition.
“I have always been a supporter of IVF. In Alabama, despite a judge’s ruling, I took a firm stand in favor of it,” Trump said during the town hall, which was moderated by Tulsi Gabbard, a former Democratic presidential candidate who recently endorsed him.
Following the Alabama Supreme Court’s February decision recognizing frozen embryos as children, which has been used by Democrats to portray Republicans as limiting reproductive health access, Trump has attempted to distance himself from the ruling. Shortly after the decision, he advocated for maintaining IVF availability in Alabama, leading to a state law signed in March by Governor Kay Ivey, also a Republican, to protect IVF access.
Trump reiterated his belief that abortion policies should be determined at the state level, supporting exceptions in cases of rape, incest, and threats to the mother’s life.
Critics, including Sarafina Chitika from the Harris-Walz campaign, have questioned the authenticity of Trump’s proposal. “Trump’s platform could effectively ban IVF and abortion nationwide. His record shows a disregard for women’s health rights,” Chitika stated, referencing Trump’s role in overturning Roe v. Wade.
In a separate interview with NBC News, Trump was asked about his stance on a forthcoming abortion referendum in Florida. A “no” vote could lead to the implementation of a six-week abortion ban. Trump expressed that a six-week limit is too restrictive and called for more time, though he did not confirm how he will vote on the referendum.
Trump’s campaign later clarified that while Trump opposes the six-week ban, he has not publicly committed to a specific position on the November referendum. According to campaign spokesperson Karoline Leavitt, Trump is focused on advocating for a longer period rather than committing to a vote.
Most experts agree that fetal viability typically occurs around 23-24 weeks of gestation. This story will be updated with further developments.
