Trump Issues Executive Order to Expand IVF Access Amid Criticism and Policy Debate
February 19, 2025
Later that evening, Trump attended a conservative awards program at Mar-a-Lago, celebrating military members and featuring notable figures.
Trump has approached the sensitive topic of reproductive rights cautiously during his campaign, navigating complex dynamics around these issues.
The White House reports that approximately one in seven couples in the U.S. face challenges in conceiving a child, highlighting the importance of this initiative.
Critics, including Senator Tammy Duckworth, argue that Trump's actions do not effectively expand IVF access and have endangered it through prior policies.
The U.S. fertility rate has reached a historic low, dropping by 3% from 2022 to 2023, underscoring the urgency of addressing reproductive health issues.
White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt praised the order, emphasizing Trump's commitment to his campaign promises, despite it not enacting direct policy changes.
The IVF process involves hormone treatments to trigger ovulation, followed by egg retrieval and fertilization, with embryos cultured for five to six days before transfer or storage.
The day of the executive order coincided with Trump's first joint TV interview with Elon Musk, where they discussed federal spending and policy issues.
During a recent press conference, Trump criticized the Biden administration's policies on various issues, including immigration and foreign relations.
While Republican lawmakers have previously proposed their own IVF-related bills, none have successfully passed through Congress.
Donald Trump has signed an executive order aimed at expanding access to in vitro fertilization (IVF), with the goal of reducing treatment costs.
Accompanying the executive order, Trump signed a presidential memorandum demanding greater government transparency to eliminate wasteful spending.
Summary based on 21 sources
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Sources

The Guardian • Feb 19, 2025
Musk boasts about ‘thrashing bureaucracy’ in cosy joint interview with Trump – US politics live
The Guardian • Feb 19, 2025
Trump’s IVF order: a PR move that gives pronatalists cause for cheer
Time • Feb 19, 2025
What to Know as Trump Signs Executive Order on IVF