Senate to Vote on Nationwide Protections for IVF

Follow Drugslib on

Medically reviewed by Carmen Pope, BPharm. Last updated on Sep 17, 2024.

By Robin Foster HealthDay Reporter

TUESDAY, Sept. 17, 2024 -- For the second time this year, the Senate plans to vote Tuesday on a law that would create a nationwide right to IVF.

The bill was already blocked by Republicans earlier this year, but Democrats are hoping to use this second vote to pressure Republican congressional candidates on the hot button issue, the Associated Press reported.

The push to establish national protections for in vitro fertilization (IVF) began after the Alabama Supreme Court ruled in February that frozen embryos can be considered children under state law.

Several clinics in the state suspended IVF treatments until the GOP-led legislature rushed to pass a law in early March to provide legal protections for IVF clinics.

Democrats quickly capitalized on the drama, holding a vote in June on the IVF bill, which would also increase access to the procedure and lower costs.

In that vote, all but two Republicans voted against the legislation, arguing that the federal government shouldn’t tell states what to do, the AP reported.

But the issue could become a weak spot for Republicans as some state laws passed by their own party grant legal personhood not only to fetuses but to any embryos that are destroyed in the IVF process, the AP reported.

Republicans have tried to push alternatives on the issue, including legislation that would discourage states from enacting explicit bans on the treatment, but those bills have been blocked by Democrats who say that doesn't go far enough, the AP reported.

Republican Sens. Katie Britt of Alabama and Ted Cruz of Texas tried in June to pass a bill that would withhold Medicaid funding for states where IVF is banned. Meanwhile, Sen. Rick Scott, a Florida Republican, has said his daughter is receiving IVF treatment and proposed to expand the flexibility of health savings accounts, the AP reported.

Sources

  • Associated Press

    • Disclaimer: Statistical data in medical articles provide general trends and do not pertain to individuals. Individual factors can vary greatly. Always seek personalized medical advice for individual healthcare decisions.

    Source: HealthDay

    Posted : 2024-09-18 00:00

    Read more

    Disclaimer

    Every effort has been made to ensure that the information provided by Drugslib.com is accurate, up-to-date, and complete, but no guarantee is made to that effect. Drug information contained herein may be time sensitive. Drugslib.com information has been compiled for use by healthcare practitioners and consumers in the United States and therefore Drugslib.com does not warrant that uses outside of the United States are appropriate, unless specifically indicated otherwise. Drugslib.com's drug information does not endorse drugs, diagnose patients or recommend therapy. Drugslib.com's drug information is an informational resource designed to assist licensed healthcare practitioners in caring for their patients and/or to serve consumers viewing this service as a supplement to, and not a substitute for, the expertise, skill, knowledge and judgment of healthcare practitioners.

    The absence of a warning for a given drug or drug combination in no way should be construed to indicate that the drug or drug combination is safe, effective or appropriate for any given patient. Drugslib.com does not assume any responsibility for any aspect of healthcare administered with the aid of information Drugslib.com provides. The information contained herein is not intended to cover all possible uses, directions, precautions, warnings, drug interactions, allergic reactions, or adverse effects. If you have questions about the drugs you are taking, check with your doctor, nurse or pharmacist.

    Popular Keywords