US Senate To Vote Again On IVF Bill After Trump's Support Pushes GOP To Reconsider

Ahead of a critical vote, the U.S. Senate is set to reconsider a bill aimed at federally protecting and expanding insurance coverage for fertility treatments, following an unexpected endorsement from former President Donald Trump.

What Happened: The U.S. Senate will vote on Tuesday on a bill to federally protect and expand insurance coverage for fertility treatments, Reuters reported.

The bill was previously voted on in June but failed to advance due to insufficient support, with most Republicans voting against it. Democrats hold a narrow 51-49 majority in the Senate.

Sen. Tammy Duckworth (D-Ill.) initially sought a vote on the bill in February after the Alabama Supreme Court ruled embryos used in IVF should be considered children, threatening access to the treatment for millions of Americans. Republicans blocked the bill then as well.

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Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer (R-N.Y.) criticized Republicans for not supporting the bill earlier this year.

“Republicans had a chance to back up their rhetoric with action when we voted earlier this year and nearly all of them failed,” Schumer said in a speech on Monday.

“I hope tomorrow will bring a different result.”

Why It Matters: The cost of in vitro fertilization (IVF) treatments ranges from $14,000 to $20,000, making it inaccessible for many Americans without insurance coverage. Trump’s recent pledge to mandate coverage for IVF treatments if re-elected has sparked significant controversy and debate. His stance has angered anti-abortion advocates who view his position as a departure from traditional conservative values. Trump’s reproductive rights pledge has also been seen as an attempt to appeal to a broader demographic, including women and families struggling with infertility.

Additionally, Trump’s promise to cover IVF treatments has created a new battleground in the ongoing debate over reproductive rights, positioning him against Democratic leaders like Vice President Kamala Harris, who have been vocal about expanding access to reproductive healthcare.

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This story was generated using Benzinga Neuro and edited by Pooja Rajkumari