Republican Divisions Emerge Over IVF, RRM Backed in Arkansas

Republican support for in vitro fertilization (IVF) has been fracturing following a 2024 Alabama Supreme Court ruling that recognized embryos as persons, which temporarily halted fertility clinic services in the state and sparked national concern. Initially, many Republicans, including President Donald Trump who pledged to make IVF coverage free through insurance, rallied to protect IVF access. However, divisions have emerged as some conservative lawmakers, especially in states with abortion bans, question IVF because it may involve discarding embryos, which they equate with abortion. This ideological split was evident in states like Tennessee and Georgia, where IVF protection laws were passed but faced opposition from far-right Republicans introducing anti-abortion measures that could undermine those protections. The debate highlights a broader tension within the Republican Party between upholding pro-life principles and supporting popular fertility treatments, complicating their political alignment and policy approaches. Sean Tipton of the American Society for Reproductive Medicine notes that IVF's popularity presents a challenge for Republican politicians tied to anti-choice constituencies.