Awaiting the Outcome of Trump's Executive Order Regarding In-Vitro Fertilization (IVF) Policy Decisions

Awaiting the Outcome of Trump's Executive Order Regarding In-Vitro Fertilization (IVF) Policy Decisions

President Trump Commits to Reducing IVF Costs

Military wife Julie Eshelman, a mother through IVF, has been eagerly awaiting President Trump's pledge to make these procedures more affordable. Eshelman underwent fertility treatments in 2016 and welcomed a baby girl five years later, amid multiple miscarriages and a significant financial burden of $80,000.

"It's been a financial strain, but it's one we'd endure again for our family," Eshelman told NBC News. She never imagined that a future Trump administration would play a significant role in her decision about attempting another pregnancy.

In the 2024 campaign, Trump expressed his administration's intention to make IVF affordable, either through government funding or insurance company coverage. This statement came amid broader political debates regarding family policies and abortion, following an Alabama Supreme Court ruling in 2024 that deemed embryos as legal persons, temporarily halting IVF treatments before a new law was passed.

In response to Trump's campaign promise, his administration signed an executive order in February 2025. The order asked for policy recommendations on protecting IVF access and reducing out-of-pocket and health plan costs. However, the deadline for these recommendations passed on April 24, 2025, with no official findings or cost estimates released by the White House.

Discussions held during the 90-day period reflected a broad spectrum of opinions, from advocates pushing for swift action to widen access to expensive fertility treatments, to some who cautioned the White House against overemphasizing IVF.

TJ Farnsworth, the president of Fertility Providers Alliance and the founder of a chain of fertility clinics, spoke with the White House and submitted a letter detailing various proposals for the administration. These included training programs to address the shortage of fertility providers, coverage for federal employees, and improved coverage for active-duty military personnel.

The administration's approach to IVF has been met with enthusiasm and concerns alike. Some groups, such as the Catholic Medical Association and the U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops, have advocated for restorative reproductive medicine over IVF, citing ethical concerns and a belief that it addresses the root cause of infertility.

Stakeholder meetings included advocates of restorative reproductive medicine, along with those who dismiss the competing narrative that the IVF industry's practices align with pro-life movements. As a proponent of restorative reproductive medicine, Dr. Marguerite Duane reported feeling encouraged by the White House's interest in the subject.

Despite these developments, some industry experts, such as Barbara Collura, President and CEO of RESOLVE: The National Infertility Association, have expressed concerns about the White House's decision to exclude major advocacy groups from discussions or eliminate the team at the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention responsible for tracking IVF use and success.

Since welcoming her daughter, Eshelman has dedicated her efforts to helping military families navigate infertility and the additional challenges faced by servicemembers. She founded an advocacy group called Building Military Families. Although hopeful, Eshelman believes President Trump could expedite policy changes to support families like hers if he chose to.

"I don't believe that 90 days are needed to gather policy recommendations," she said. "Many existing bills offer potential solutions, and their implementation could be achieved this week if necessary." Despite Trump's commitment to reducing IVF costs, the details of any forthcoming policy changes remain to be seen.

1. The cost of IVF treatments has been a significant financial burden for many, including military wife Julie Eshelman who paid $80,000 for her procedures.
2. Eshelman, a mother through IVF, has welcomed President Trump's pledge to make these procedures more affordable.
3. The Trump administration intends to make IVF affordable through either government funding or insurance company coverage.
4. The Alabama Supreme Court ruled in 2024 that embryos are legal persons, temporarily halting IVF treatments before a new law was passed.
5. In response to Trump's campaign promise, his administration signed an executive order in February 2025, asking for policy recommendations on protecting IVF access and reducing costs.
6. The deadline for these recommendations passed on April 24, 2025, with no official findings or cost estimates released by the White House.
7. Stakeholder meetings included advocates of restorative reproductive medicine, as well as those who dismissed the competing narrative that the IVF industry's practices align with pro-life movements.
8. Some groups, like the Catholic Medical Association, have advocated for restorative reproductive medicine over IVF, citing ethical concerns.
9. TJ Farnsworth, the president of Fertility Providers Alliance, submitted a letter detailing various proposals for the administration, including coverage for federal employees and active-duty military personnel.
10. Barbara Collura, President and CEO of RESOLVE: The National Infertility Association, has expressed concerns about the White House's decision to exclude major advocacy groups from discussions.
11. Eshelman has dedicated her efforts to helping military families navigate infertility and the additional challenges faced by servicemembers.
12. Eshelman believes President Trump could expedite policy changes to support families like hers if he chose to.
13. There are ongoing debates regarding family policies and abortion, which influence discussions about infertility treatments like IVF.
14. The affordable cost of IVF could impact various aspects of health and wellness, including family health, chronic diseases, and mental health.
15. Autoimmune disorders, digestive health, eye health, hearing, skin conditions, and cancer are just some of the medical conditions that could potentially be influenced by IVF affordability.
16. The administration's approach to IVF could impact policy and legislation related to car accidents, crime and justice, wars and conflicts, general news,workplace-wellness, and men's and women's health, as well as issues such as migration, medicare, parenting, cardiovascular health, and skin care, among others. therapies and treatments, and fitness and exercise.

Read also: