Austin News

U.S. Senators Ted Cruz (R-Texas) and Katie Britt (R-Ala.) have introduced the IVF Protection Act, a piece of legislation aimed at ensuring states do not restrict access to in vitro fertilization (IVF) services. The bill stipulates that it does not mandate any individual or organization to provide these services, but rather allows states to uphold appropriate health and safety standards regarding the practice of IVF. According to the bill's language, states that enforce an outright ban on access to IVF would be disqualified from receiving Medicaid funding.

Upon introducing the bill, Sen. Cruz stated, “IVF has given miraculous hope to millions of Americans, and it has given families across the country the gift of children. I’m proud to partner with Sen. Katie Britt to ensure that couples in Texas and across the country have the opportunity to be loving parents, by ensuring that IVF is fully protected at the federal level.”

Echoing his sentiments, Sen. Britt said,“I’m honored to join Senator Ted Cruz in introducing the IVF Protection Act. IVF is pro-family, and I’m proud to strongly support continued nationwide access to this pathway to parenthood. As a mom, I know firsthand that there is no greater blessing than our children, and IVF helps families across America experience the joyous miracle of life, grow, and thrive. This commonsense piece of legislation affirms both life and liberty — family and freedom, and I look forward to working with my colleagues to enact it into law.”

Since its inception in the 1970s, IVF has proven itself as a safe and reliable method for achieving pregnancy. It has enabled millions of prospective parents to experience childbirth and has become a beacon of hope for those striving for conception. Current estimates suggest that nearly 2 percent of all live births in the United States result from IVF procedures.

The full text of the bill can be found here.