WASHINGTON − On Thursday, former President Donald Trump declared that if re-elected, he would mandate that insurance companies or the government cover “all costs associated” with in-vitro fertilization (IVF).

“We want more babies, to put it nicely,” Trump told a gathering in Potterville, Michigan.

His announcement sparked outrage among anti-abortion groups, while Democrats pointed out that Senate Republicans, including Trump’s running mate, Ohio Senator J.D. Vance, had previously rejected a bill aimed at ensuring access to IVF.

“Hundreds of thousands of embryos − each just as human as you or me − are created and subsequently discarded or frozen during IVF procedures,” remarked Ann Scheidler, president of Pro-Life Action League, in a statement released on Friday. “These lives are wasted in a quintessential example of what Pope Francis refers to as ‘throwaway culture.’

The issue of IVF gained attention two years ago after the Supreme Court overturned Roe v. Wade, leading to a ruling by the Alabama Supreme Court that granted legal rights to embryos created through IVF − an action that could have effectively banned the procedure. In response to widespread outcry, Alabama legislators swiftly passed a bill to protect IVF practices.

The average IVF cycle currently costs around $12,000, as reported by the American Society for Reproductive Medicine.

Trump, who has consistently expressed support for IVF, reiterated his proposal during a subsequent campaign event in La Crosse, Wisconsin, as well as during an interview with NBC News.

“We’re advocating for this because we believe it’s excellent,” the Republican candidate told NBC, emphasizing the need for “great children, beautiful children in our nation.”

Here’s what you need to know about his IVF plan so far.

Who would fund IVF?

On Thursday, Trump suggested that either the government or private insurers would cover IVF expenses.

“Under a Trump administration, we will fund that treatment,” he told NBC, adding, “We’ll mandate that insurance companies cover it.”

However, Trump did not elaborate on how this would be enacted.

His running mate, Senator J.D. Vance of Ohio, stated on CNN that Trump believes insurance companies should provide coverage and didn’t mention governmental funding.

“Insurance companies are already required to cover a wide range of services,” Vance pointed out. “The former president has stated that he wants insurers to add more fertility services.”

Trump mentioned to NBC that his administration would work to ensure all Americans who require IVF have access to it. When queried on whether this would extend to single women and same-sex couples, the Trump campaign did not provide clarification.

Abortion opponents react to IVF proposal

In the IVF process, numerous embryos are typically created to enhance the chances of pregnancy, and unused or lower-quality embryos are often discarded, a practice that creates friction with many anti-abortion advocates.

Marjorie Dannenfelser, president of Susan B. Anthony Pro-Life America, stated that while their organization supports fertility treatments, they believe it is essential to have “strong medical safety standards” in place.

“We hold that human embryos should not be unnecessarily destroyed. Proposals often go too far by granting blanket immunity,” she added.

According to Dannenfelser, “These situations are genuine concerns for families in the United States with no available options.”

Abortion Rights Advocates Criticize Trump Over Roe v. Wade

Critics of Trump referred to his proposal as “insincere.”

“Kudos to Donald Trump for recognizing that his stance and history on abortion are extremely unpopular, especially among women who are crucial to the upcoming election,” Jessica Mackler, president of EMILY’s List, one of the largest organizations advocating for pro-choice female candidates, stated.

“However, instead of acknowledging a disingenuous and unserious proposal that contradicts his own party’s platform,” Mackler continued, “we will acknowledge something he actually did: the overturning of Roe v. Wade, which cut off abortion access for millions of women nationwide and jeopardized reproductive rights for all.”

Trump appointed three justices to the Supreme Court, which led to the overturning of Roe.

Supporters of Vice President Kamala Harris criticized Trump’s IVF plan, pointing out that Senate Republicans had blocked a bill in June intended to ensure IVF access and mandate employer-sponsored coverage for it.

Vance, Trump’s running mate, was one of the Republicans who voted against advancing the IVF legislation.

“American women are not uninformed. We understand that the only reliable protection for IVF is a new federal law, which Kamala Harris advocates for, and Donald Trump opposes,” stated Senator Elizabeth Warren, D-Mass., during a press call on Friday.

The Harris campaign is initiating a bus tour called “Fighting for Reproductive Freedom,” making 50 stops to directly hold Trump accountable for the reversal of Roe v. Wade. The tour will kick off in Palm Beach, Florida, where Trump currently lives.

Reproductive rights are a pivotal issue in the current election, which could provide Democratic candidates with an advantage. Republicans, including Trump, are working to find a message that aligns with voters regarding abortion and IVF.

Trump’s spokesperson, Karoline Leavitt, asserted that Trump has been consistent in his views on reproductive rights and “also advocates for universal access to contraception and IVF.”

Contributions by: Joey Garrison, Zac Anderson, and Charles Trepany, YSL News