On Tuesday, President Donald Trump signed an executive order aimed at expanding access to in vitro fertilization (IVF) for Americans, focusing on reducing the high costs associated with the treatment.
The White House issued a fact sheet titled “President Donald J. Trump Expands Access to In Vitro Fertilization (IVF),” stating that the executive order directs policy recommendations to protect access to IVF and reduce out-of-pocket costs for individuals and health plans. The recommendations aim to ensure consistent and reliable access to IVF treatments.
The order also seeks to address current policies, including those that require legislative changes, which contribute to the high costs of IVF. It emphasizes the importance of family formation, acknowledging that public policy should make it easier for hopeful parents to have children.
The fact sheet notes that IVF treatments can range from USD 12,000 to USD 25,000 per cycle, and multiple cycles are often necessary to achieve pregnancy. It also highlights that, according to the Department of Health and Human Services, over 85,000 babies were born via IVF in 2021. The fertility rate in the US continues to decline, with a 3 percent decrease in 2023 compared to 2022, following a consistent annual decline of 2 percent between 2014 and 2020.
White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt praised the President’s action, stating that the executive order is a step toward making IVF more accessible. She added that it directs policy recommendations to reduce out-of-pocket expenses and improve health plan coverage for those seeking fertility treatments.
In a post on X, Leavitt wrote, “PROMISES MADE. PROMISES KEPT: President Trump just signed an Executive Order to Expand Access to IVF! The Order directs policy recommendations to protect IVF access and aggressively reduce out-of-pocket and health plan costs for such treatments.”
