Democrats push federal IVF protections in wake of Alabama Supreme Court ruling

WASHINGTON (Gray DC) - As someone who became a mother through in-vitro fertilization, Sen. Tammy Duckworth, D-IL, said an Alabama Supreme Court ruling takes that possibility away from families.

“A ruling based on extreme ideology rather than medical science, and one that throws IVF access into chaos for countless women, as they and their doctors figure out if they might be criminalized for simply trying to start a family.”

The Alabama Supreme Court ruled that embryos are legally considered people. That has clinics afraid of freezing embryos for the IVF because they can be held liable if one is destroyed.

Democratic leadership immediately backed a bill that would ensure federal protection.

“Democrats are absolutely committed to doing everything, everything we can to protect women, families, reproductive freedom,” Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer, D-NY, said.

When the Supreme Court overturned Roe vs. Wade, it put a lot of reproductive health in the hands of states. Some Republicans argue the issue should remain in Alabama.

“I think the decision clearly puts this issue back at the state level and we would encourage the state legislature of Alabama to right this wrong,” Sen. Roger Marshall, R-KS, said.

The Biden administration said the president is working with lawmakers on the bill and fears other states could follow Alabama’s lead.

Katie Keith: White House Gender Policy Council

“What we really need, and what the president has been very clear about since the day of the Dobbs decision, is that Congress needs to pass a law restoring the protections of Row vs. Wade,” said Katie Keith, Deputy Director of White House Gender Policy Council.

The CDC estimates 2.3 percent of U.S. births rely on assisted reproductive technology – the majority of those being IVF.

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