Austin News

WASHINGTON, D.C. – U.S. Senators Ted Cruz (R-Texas) and Katie Britt (R-Ala.) have authored an op-ed in the Wall Street Journal regarding their proposed legislation, the IVF Protection Act.

The senators expressed concern about the potential threat to in vitro fertilization (IVF), which many families depend on for having children. "Families across the U.S. are understandably worried that in vitro fertilization is under threat," they wrote. As Republican senators from Texas and Alabama, both Cruz and Britt emphasized their shared commitment to protecting both life and access to IVF treatments, describing the issue as deeply personal to them as parents.

This move follows a February ruling by the Alabama Supreme Court that embryos created through IVF should be considered children under the law. The decision came after wrongful-death lawsuits were filed by parents alleging a clinic's failure to protect their embryos led to their destruction. The ruling has sparked confusion and misinformation, exacerbated by partisan commentary, causing alarm among prospective parents who view IVF as essential for parenthood.

In response to these concerns, Cruz and Britt announced plans to introduce a bill on Monday aimed at ensuring legal protection for IVF access nationwide. The legislation would stipulate that states cannot prohibit IVF as a condition of receiving federal Medicaid funding. Although the Alabama Legislature reaffirmed post-ruling that IVF remains protected, the proposed federal legislation seeks to eliminate any potential ambiguity arising from future state-level judicial interpretations.

"Our goal is to make sure that any family’s path to bringing a child into the world isn’t compromised by preventable legal confusion," they stated in their op-ed.