IVF in Crisis: What World Infertility Awareness Month Reminds Us About the Politics of Parenthood
June is World Infertility Awareness Month—a time to educate, advocate, and spark empathy for millions of hopeful parents struggling to build a family. But this year, the conversation feels especially urgent.
We can’t talk about infertility without talking about In Vitro Fertilization (IVF). And these days, you can’t talk about IVF without wading into murky political waters.
Since the first baby was born using IVF in 1978, about 12 million babies have been born using this procedure. That’s the population of Belgium.
For many, IVF is the only viable path to biological parenthood. But despite its life-giving power, IVF has become a flashpoint—caught between science, policy, and ideology.
In January, President Trump issued an executive order promoting access to IVF, signaling that Republicans finally embrace fertility care. Even Texas Senator Ted Cruz introduced a “Right to IVF” bill, but it never got heard.
Meanwhile, Republican lawmakers in Ohio plan to introduce legislation to ban IVF. In Nevada, Governor Lombardo vetoed a bill that would have protected access to IVF.
Why the divide?
Some of it stems from religious objections to creating embryos outside the womb. Others are uncomfortable with evolving definitions of family that don’t fit the traditional mold.
But here’s the sad reality behind this ideological debate: behind every IVF procedure is a person or couple clinging to hope.
I was that person and was willing to go to incredible pain and expense to have a child.
For context, a single cycle can cost $15,000–$30,000 (without donors). Often, multiple rounds are required before success is achieved.
I was one of the lucky ones who had insurance coverage for IVF. Most Americans don’t.
Fifteen states have laws requiring insurance coverage that aid some families with IVF costs. Medicaid offers zero coverage.
This leaves most desperate would-be parents to bear the oppressive cost themselves.
So yes, it’s World Infertility Awareness Month. But awareness alone is not enough.
We need decisive action.
As concerns about the declining U.S. birthrate cause alarm bells to go off, we need lawmakers to stop using IVF as a political pawn and start treating it as the essential family-building lifeline it is.
We need to act fast. While we argue and immerse ourselves in moral debates about how others should live their lives, time is running out for families.
In future posts, I’ll delve deeper into the economics of IVF, the declining U.S. birthrate, and why this conversation must include people from all political, social, and religious backgrounds.
But for now, let’s start here:
IVF creates beautiful families. I wouldn’t have my children without it, and I’m eternally grateful.
Hopeful parents need our empathy and support.
And infertility is too big of an issue for our society to ignore.
If IVF has impacted you or someone you know, please share your stories in the comments.
#righttoIVF
#infertility
#themiracleofIVF
#protectIVF