On Thursday, U.S. Sen. Katie Britt (R-Montgomery) joined President Donald Trump as he announced two new initiatives to expand access to in-vitro fertilization (IVF).
Trump came to an agreement with a leading pharmaceutical manufacturer to bring American drug prices in line with the lowest prices paid by other developed nations. The agreement will result in massive cost savings on fertility treatments.
"We had everything passed, and Alabama then took care of it and passed it," Trump said during the Oval Office announcement. "Within a week, everything was done. Really, it was something. So I want to thank Katie Britt. There's no deeper happiness and joy of raising children and now millions of Americans struggling with infertility will have a new chance to share the greatest experience of them all."
"In the Trump administration, we want to make it easier for all couples to have babies, raise children and start the families they've always dreamed about," he added.
Britt, who has championed IVF, thanked the President for his "unwavering" support in protecting IVF.
"I want to start by thanking President Trump," Britt outlined. "Sir, from the very first phone call we ever had, your support was strong. It was steadfast. It was unwavering. And because of you, millions of Americans are going to have a greater opportunity to bring the greatest gift, in my opinion, life into this world."
"Your support, your administration's support, it's a game-changer. All of us here today are aligned," she continued. "This is a celebration of life. It's a celebration of parents. It's a celebration of families, and it's a celebration for those people who want to one day be parents themselves. I think every parent can attest and I certainly do myself that the greatest gift that God has ever given me is the ability to be a mom."
"We want more people to have that opportunity. We want to make that easier and more affordable. IVF is what makes the difference for so many families that are facing infertility. So you've seen the numbers, it's either one in eight couples or some people say as much as one in six, are actually experiencing issues with fertility," Britt added.
Alabama's junior U.S. Senator cited Trump as the reason "why the Republican Party is now the party of parents" and families.
"Mr. President, this is the most pro-IVF thing that any president in the history of the United States of America has done," Britt declared. "And Mr. President, it's your leadership. You are the reason why the Republican Party is now the party of parents. We are the party of families."
She continued, "And just for the record, IVF is legal and accessible in all 50 states. And President Trump, taking this action today to lower cost, to bring these issues to the forefront and to enact solutions for people working to start their families, I want you to know it's significant and there's more to come. But this isn't the only thing that you've done to prove that we're the party of parents and we're the party of families."
Read more about the White House's announcement here.
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