In a bid to appeal to women voters and address ongoing debates over reproductive health, Republican presidential nominee Donald Trump unveiled a new policy proposal on Thursday regarding in vitro fertilization (IVF) and abortion laws. Trump’s announcements come as part of his broader strategy to address key issues in the 2024 election.
Trump, during an interview with NBC News, revealed his support for making IVF treatments either government-funded or covered by insurance companies. “Under the Trump administration, we are going to be paying for that treatment,” Trump declared, emphasizing that his administration would mandate that insurance companies cover IVF costs. Given that IVF treatments can be prohibitively expensive, often reaching tens of thousands of dollars, this proposal is seen as a significant policy shift. He reiterated this stance at a rally in Michigan, stating, “Your government will pay for or your insurance company will be mandated to pay for all costs associated with IVF treatment.”
In addition to supporting IVF coverage, Trump proposed that new parents should be allowed to deduct "major newborn expenses" from their taxes, a move aimed at providing financial relief to families and encouraging higher birth rates. This part of his proposal reflects his broader focus on supporting families and addressing demographic concerns.
On the issue of abortion, Trump expressed criticism of Florida's recent six-week abortion ban, indicating he would support efforts to overturn it. “I’m going to be voting that we need more than six weeks,” Trump stated, suggesting that he believes the timeline imposed by the Florida law is too restrictive. However, he also reiterated his support for exceptions in abortion laws for cases involving threats to the mother's health, rape, or incest.
Trump’s campaign swiftly clarified his position on abortion, noting that he has not yet determined how he will vote on Florida's specific ballot initiative but believes that a six-week limit is too short. “President Trump has not yet said how he will vote on the ballot initiative in Florida,” said Karoline Leavitt, Trump’s press secretary. “He simply reiterated that he believes six weeks is too short.”
The 2024 election has seen reproductive rights become a major point of contention, with Vice President Kamala Harris and the Democratic Party frequently attacking Trump’s record on these issues. Harris has accused Trump and the Republican Party of threatening women’s rights by limiting access to birth control, banning medication abortion, and proposing a nationwide ban on the procedure. During the Democratic National Convention, Harris highlighted concerns about Trump’s policies potentially leading to invasive reporting requirements for miscarriages and abortions.
The debate over reproductive health was further inflamed earlier this year when the Alabama Supreme Court ruled that frozen embryos should be legally considered children. This ruling led to a temporary pause in IVF treatments in Alabama, sparking controversy and legislative action. Trump had previously urged Alabama lawmakers to protect access to IVF, resulting in the passage of a law in March that preserved IVF access in the state.
Trump’s recent commitment to support IVF coverage may be seen as an attempt to address criticisms of his previous positions and appeal to voters concerned about reproductive rights. In response to Trump’s proposals, a spokesperson for Harris criticized his reliability on reproductive issues, pointing out that his actions have already negatively impacted women’s rights. “Because Trump overturned Roe v. Wade, IVF is already under attack, and women’s freedoms have been ripped away in states across the country,” the spokesperson stated, underscoring the ongoing tension and debate surrounding reproductive health in the lead-up to the election.
