Sen. Tom Cotton, R-Ark., expressed openness to supporting a plan proposed by former President Donald Trump that would have either the government or insurance companies pay for in-vitro fertilization services. Cotton stated that most Republicans would likely be open to this idea, pending a thorough evaluation of the fiscal impact and affordability for taxpayers. He believes that supporting couples who are trying to use IVF or other fertility treatments is not controversial.
Trump’s plan involves mandating insurance companies to cover fertility services like IVF, with Sen. Cotton and other Republicans showing potential support. However, Cotton previously voted against the Right to IVF Act, criticizing it as a messaging bill from Democrats. Sen. Lindsey Graham, R-S.C., also expressed support for means-tested tax credits for Americans using fertility treatments as an incentive to encourage having children.
IVF has become a politicized issue, with Democrats accusing Republicans of threatening access to fertility and reproductive care. The state of Alabama’s Supreme Court ruling on embryos as people has caused fear among reproductive rights groups that abortion bans in Republican-controlled states could impact other reproductive care services. Despite disagreements on certain aspects of public funding and insurance mandates, there is a general bipartisan interest in finding ways to support couples seeking IVF and other fertility treatments.
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