Statement from RESOLVE on Senate Judiciary Committee Hearing: ”There are no existing legal protections for IVF”

Barbara Collura, President and CEO of RESOLVE: The National Infertility Association and leader of the organization’s Fight For Families Campaign, issued the following statement in response to the Senate Judiciary Committee’s Hearing on The Continued Assault on Reproductive Freedoms in a Post-Dobbs America:

“Today’s hearing affirmed what we know to be true – many of our nation’s leaders do not have the medical expertise necessary to push forward legislation that would stand between a patient and their doctor. Moreover, some legislators don’t even understand the urgency of this moment for those living with infertility. Senator Ted Cruz (R-TX) went as far as to claim that ‘IVF is fully protected in law’, which is categorically false. There are no existing legal protections for IVF.

“Despite what we heard today, it is impossible to claim to support IVF while simultaneously pushing for regulations that would significantly reduce the standard of care patients need to build families through this life-changing healthcare. The Life at Conception Act – which would establish human life as beginning at the moment of fertilization and replicate the devastating outcomes we saw in Alabama – currently has 125 Republican sponsors. Make no mistake: there is nothing pro-family about this bill or actions to curtail reproductive healthcare.

“Most Americans – 85 percent of adults – are in support of increasing access to fertility treatments. But access to IVF will only decrease if misguided regulations supersede medical best practices – this safe and essential care will become more expensive and more dangerous for those already carrying the financial, physical and emotional weight of infertility.

“Unfortunately, what happened in Alabama was not a fluke. Since the Dobbs decision, we have tracked and fought against state bills that try to define when life begins, and in the process create definitions that would undercut access to the medical interventions hopeful parents need to build their families.

“We will remain gravely concerned about the future of IVF throughout the country until federal protections are in place. We must call on our congressional leaders to pass the Access to Family Building Act as soon as possible. But until this bill becomes law, it is incumbent on state leaders to make choices for their constituents that make it easier — not harder — for them to build their families.”

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About RESOLVE: The National Infertility Association
Established in 1974, RESOLVE: The National Infertility Association is a non-profit organization with the only established nationwide network mandated to promote reproductive health and to ensure equal access to all family building options for anyone experiencing infertility or challenges in building their family. RESOLVE addresses this public health issue by providing community to all who need it, connecting them with others who can help, empowering them to find resolution and giving voice to their demands for access to all family building options. For more information, visit www.RESOLVE.org.

About Fight for Families
Fight for Families, a campaign led by RESOLVE, was launched in light of the Dobbs decision to protect IVF and other reproductive healthcare needed by people trying to get pregnant and grow their family. RESOLVE, the nation’s leading organization dedicated to family building, is concerned by legislation that threatens to limit the safe and effective medical options for people trying to conceive and achieve a healthy pregnancy. Fight for Families will help raise the voices of hopeful parents to their elected leaders and protect their rights to build a family. To join the Fight for Families campaign and help defend IVF and family building, please visit https://fightforfamilies.resolve.org/ for more information and to sign up for updates and how to take action.