White House moves to expand IVF access

On October 16, 2025, the White House announced new steps to make in-vitro fertilization (IVF) more affordable and widely available. The plan includes a partnership with a major drug manufacturer to lower fertility-medication costs and new federal guidance allowing employers to offer standalone IVF and fertility-care benefits. The move comes amid growing pressure on Congress to pass broader protections, including a pending federal bill that would make IVF coverage a national insurance requirement.

What's next: The White House initiatives are already in motion through federal agency guidance, while Congress debates the longer-term coverage bill. Employers could begin offering standalone IVF benefits as early as 2026 if the rules are finalized. But lasting access and affordability will likely depend on whether Congress enacts nationwide coverage requirements — a question that may help define the next phase of post-Dobbs reproductive policy.

Why it Matters

IVF is a lifeline for millions of women and families, but it remains out of reach for many. One treatment cycle can cost more than $20,000 — and most insurance plans don’t cover it. For women with infertility, cancer survivors, and LGBTQ+ families, the new White House actions could reduce at least part of that financial barrier. But without national coverage standards, access will still depend heavily on where a woman lives, where she works, or whether her employer offers benefits. In states pursuing “personhood” laws, IVF could also be at risk legally, not just financially.

Background

The administration’s announcement follows a turbulent two years for fertility care. In 2024, Alabama’s Supreme Court ruled that frozen embryos could be considered children, prompting several clinics to halt services. Louisiana responded in 2025 with a bipartisan “shield law” protecting IVF providers from criminal or civil liability, and California advanced new insurance mandates. At the federal level, lawmakers introduced the Health Coverage for IVF Act of 2025 (H.R. 3480) on May 19, 2025, which would add fertility treatment to the Affordable Care Act’s “essential health benefits.”