Senate to Vote on Nationwide IVF Rights Bill

The U.S. Senate is scheduled to vote on the Right to IVF Act, which aims to establish a nationwide right to in vitro fertilization (IVF) and expand insurance coverage for fertility treatments. This legislation, pushed by Democrats, comes in response to recent rulings, particularly from the Alabama Supreme Court, which classified frozen embryos as children, leading to halted IVF services in some clinics. Despite previous attempts failing due to Republican opposition, Democrats are leveraging former President Donald Trump's recent support for IVF to pressure GOP lawmakers ahead of the 2024 elections. The bill's sponsor, Senator Tammy Duckworth, emphasizes the need for protections against potential future restrictions on IVF similar to those seen with the overturning of Roe v. Wade. While the bill is expected to face significant opposition again, Democrats are using it to highlight the contrasting reproductive health policies of the two parties. Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer noted that the hard right is targeting IVF, making this legislation a critical issue in the upcoming elections.