Hundreds of Alabama IVF Patients, Families & Doctors Gather at State House to Save Access to IVF in Alabama

Alabamians, devastated by the State Supreme Court’s recent decision, appeal to lawmakers to push for legislation to safeguard the right to build families through healthcare

FEB. 28, 2024 – MONTGOMERY, AL – Hundreds of people who have undergone, are in the midst of, or need IVF, fertility doctors and advocates for family-building gathered at the Alabama State House today as part of ongoing efforts to save access to in-vitro fertilization (IVF) in Alabama following the recent State Supreme Court ruling conferring personhood status on embryos. Those gathered at the State House today urged Alabama lawmakers to quickly enact legislation to protect access to IVF and make it possible for fertility clinics to resume care immediately to help would-be parents build their families.

Since the February 16 ruling, fertility clinics across the state have announced that they have suspended IVF treatment, leaving thousands of distraught families with little clarity on how they will continue their family-building journeys. At least one embryo-shipping company has stopped their services of transferring embryos out of Alabama. This ruling is crushing for the one in six people impacted by infertility, who may need IVF to build their families, and threatens the existence of fertility care within the state.

“This issue is personal to me. As a mother-to-be because of IVF currently expecting my second baby, I can’t imagine having to leave the state of Alabama to receive IVF care,” said Corinn O’Brien, of the Fight for Alabama Families Coalition. “IVF has been a miracle in my life, and I am devastated for the families across Alabama whose fertility treatments are on hold. We are here today to encourage the Alabama legislature to take quick and urgent action for Alabama families that meaningfully protects both IVF patients and clinics.”

“The women and families of Alabama deserve full access to advanced fertility treatments,” said Barbara Collura, President of RESOLVE: The National Infertility Association, which has been working to protect access to IVF across the country and is part of the Fight for Alabama Families Coalition. “Infertility is devastating for people who just want a child — they deserve all healthcare options, including IVF, to make their dream a reality. We call on the Alabama legislature to enact a swift and meaningful solution.”

“As an infertility physician I am used to difficult conversations, but these last two weeks have been absolutely heartbreaking,” said Dr. Mamie McLean, of Alabama Fertility Specialists in Homewood, Alabama. “I have called dozens of patients in the middle of fertility treatments, including women who were scheduled for embryo transfers, and told them that we cannot move forward with treatment at this juncture. I have cried with patients who want nothing more than a baby, and, as their physician, I am unable to provide the fertility treatments that they desperately need. We are calling on the legislature to allow us to provide support for the full scope of fertility care to our citizens within our beautiful state.”

“My practice has served the women and families of Alabama for over 20 years and has helped bring thousands of babies into the world,” said Dr. Beth Malizia, a specialist in infertility and reproductive surgery. “It is our honor to help our patients become parents, and it has been terrible to have our most successful treatment taken from us. We are calling on the Alabama legislature to provide full access to IVF care.”

Access to IVF has broad support across the country. According to a recent nationwide survey conducted by Kellyanne Conway, 85 percent of all respondents, including 86 percent of women, support increasing access to fertility-related care and services. Moreover, 86 percent of all respondents favor increasing access to IVF.

For more information on how to get involved, please visit www.RESOLVE.org.

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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.

About Fight for Families
Fight for Families, a campaign led by RESOLVE, was launched to safeguard 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 for more information and to sign up for updates and how to take action.