Former President Donald Trump has announced a plan to make IVF treatment free for women if he wins a second term, but did not provide details on how it would be funded or managed. IVF treatments are known to be expensive, often costing tens of thousands of dollars for a single round, with no guarantee of success. Trump’s announcement comes amid criticism from Democrats over his role in appointing Supreme Court justices who overturned Roe v. Wade, leading to restrictions on abortion access in Republican-led states, including threats to IVF access by defining life as beginning at conception.
Abortion is expected to be a significant issue for Democrats and women in the upcoming election, with Trump trying to position himself as more moderate on reproductive rights. In an interview, Trump suggested he would vote to repeal Florida’s six-week abortion ban, stating that six weeks is too short a timeline for restrictions. His stance drew criticism from anti-abortion activists, with some arguing that supporting the repeal undermines his opposition to abortions after five months of pregnancy.
Trump also mentioned in his speech that families would be able to deduct expenses for caring for newborns from their taxes if he wins a second term, emphasizing his pro-family stance. He has previously taken varying positions on abortion, initially considering endorsing a 15-week nationwide ban before stating that regulation should be left to the states. Despite his role in overturning Roe v. Wade, Trump has expressed opposition to a national abortion ban, highlighting the importance of states making their own decisions on the matter.
The issue of IVF treatment has been a point of contention, with Senate Republicans blocking legislation that would have made it a right nationwide for women to access IVF and required insurance plans to cover fertility treatments. Trump’s proposal to make IVF treatment free for women has been met with skepticism and criticism from reproductive rights advocates, who view it as a distraction from his role in restricting access to reproductive healthcare. His campaign has been working to appeal to women and Democrats in key swing states like Michigan and Wisconsin, where he is focused on recapturing support after losing them in 2020 by narrow margins.
Trump’s proposal to make IVF treatment free for women has drawn both praise and criticism, with former Rep. Tulsi Gabbard applauding the plan during a town hall event in Wisconsin. Trump’s campaign is intensifying efforts to appeal to key demographics in swing states, emphasizing his pro-family policies and economic platform. The issue of reproductive rights, including access to IVF treatment, is expected to play a significant role in the upcoming election, with Democrats and women likely to be motivated by concerns over abortion restrictions and healthcare access.
