Since the Alabama Supreme Court's decision, in-vitro fertilization (IVF) has been at the center of political conversation in Alabama and nationally. A lot has been said about IVF, but everyone should agree that it is about bringing new life into the world.
At its core, IVF is about giving people struggling with infertility the ability to enjoy God's greatest gift: having children. Alabamians believe in family values. We believe in promoting pro-family policies.
What is more pro-family than giving options to the many Alabamians who desperately want to start families but are struggling with infertility issues? What is less pro-family than preventing these folks from achieving their dream of parenthood? Simply put, IVF is as pro-family as it gets.
After Alabama clinics stopped providing IVF services, one thing became apparent: almost everyone knows someone has used the IVF process or other reproductive care to have children. Infertility issues are not uncommon. Approximately 2% of births in the United States and over 8 million babies have been born because of IVF technology.
There is a large segment of the population that struggles with infertility issues. Infertility affects around one in six couples.
If IVF access is limited or the cost of IVF services is increased, many people will be negatively affected. Many people discussing increased regulations do not have real-world experience with the IVF process; they are speaking from an abstract and theoretical framework.
In Alabama, the average cost of IVF is $10,000 to $15,000, and most Alabama-based insurance carriers do not cover the procedure. As conservatives, we know burdensome regulations always lead to increased costs. Many IVF patients are already struggling to afford the procedure, and the last thing the state should do is pass regulations that make IVF even more expensive.
Additionally, increased regulation of the IVF process could mean subjecting women to unnecessary rounds of medications and invasive procedures. It will raise risks for patients, leading to poor pregnancy outcomes and ultimately reducing the availability of IVF in our state.
President Trump has strongly advocated for accessible and affordable IVF procedures. He has pledged to fight for government assistance and insurance coverage for IVF patients if elected. Other conservative leaders, including U.S. Sen. Katie Britt (R-Montgomery), have also fought to ensure that IVF access is protected.
I agree with Senator Britt's assessment that "for many Americans, building a family, becoming a mom or a dad, that's their American Dream. IVF makes the difference in achieving that dream for millions of Americans who are facing infertility."
Many Americans and Alabamians also agree with this sentiment. IVF is widely popular because having more families and children is a righteous goal. The Lord commands us to be fruitful and multiply. Why would we crush the dreams of so many people simply trying to do that?
Jim Zeigler, is a retired Alabama Public Service Commissioner and State Auditor. He can be reached at ZeiglerElderCare@yahoo.com
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