HARTFORD, Conn. — U.S. Sen. Richard Blumenthal (D-CT) and reproductive rights advocates are demanding federal protections for infertility treatments in wake of the Alabama Supreme Court ruling on in vitro fertilization (IVF).
The justices ruled last week embryos can be considered children under state law.
“Those of us who have been through IVF, which is about 2% of all Americans, know how challenging this process can be,” said Ami Chokshi, a former IVF patient and fertility coach with the Center for Advanced Reproductive Services.
Chokshi and other former patients called for expanded access to infertility treatment Friday morning.
“Out of our transfer of previously cryo-preserved embryos, not every one of them worked,” explained Dr. Mark Leondires, founder and medical director of Illume Fertility. “So this is personal. Access to IVF care is personal for millions of people all across the United States.”
Leondires has been practicing reproductive medicine in Connecticut for the past 25 years. He says about 15% of people nationwide suffer from infertility and in IVF, less than 50% of embryo transfers are successful.
“Less than 20% of extrauterine embryos in the laboratory even make a cluster of cells that has reproductive potential,” he added.
Last week, the Alabama State Supreme Court’s ruling opened the door for those whose frozen embryos might be accidentally destroyed during IVF to sue for wrongful death.
“The ruling has set off chaos in Alabama and the implications for hopeful parents are tragic because family-building health care has literally been stopped in its tracks,” said Patience Crozier, director of family advocacy at GLAD.
Wednesday, Senate Republicans blocked the “Access to Family Building Act,” a measure Senate Democrats say would ensure the right to access infertility treatment, protect doctors and providers, and safeguard insurers.
“You can’t punish someone for discarding an embryo and at the same time say you are in favor of IVF,” Blumenthal said. “This unconscionable inconsistency has to be solved by passing this measure.”
While access to IVF is protected in Connecticut, advocates want it expanded.
“Right now single individuals and LGBTQ-plus families are not included in our state's narrow definition of infertility,” said Gretchen Raffa of Planned Parenthood Southern New England. “They're typically excluded from this coverage requirement.”
Blumenthal says he’s confident the U.S. Senate will have a full floor vote on the federal bill this spring.
“This is not just a woman's issue, this is a family issue,” he continued. “Men should be as concerned angry and scared about this effort to stop IVF as women are.”
Emma Wulfhorst is a political reporter for FOX61 News. She can be reached at ewulfhorst@fox61.com. Follow her on Facebook, X and Instagram.
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