President Donald Trump’s recent executive order on in vitro fertilization (IVF), signed on February 18, 2025, has stirred both hope and skepticism among those facing infertility challenges. While the order does not immediately lower the current IVF fees—ranging between $12,000 and $25,000 per cycle—it sets the groundwork for long-term cost reductions by calling for a comprehensive review of the financial barriers associated with these treatments.
What the Order Entails
The executive order directs the Assistant to the President for Domestic Policy to develop a set of recommendations within 90 days. These recommendations are expected to focus on:
Protecting IVF Access: Ensuring that couples struggling with infertility have reliable access to IVF treatments, which can be prohibitively expensive.
Reducing Financial Burdens: Aggressively lowering out-of-pocket and health plan costs by easing or eliminating unnecessary statutory and regulatory burdens that inflate the price of IVF.
In essence, the order is less about immediate change and more about laying the policy framework for future reforms. It signals an intent to address the affordability issue at a systemic level rather than implementing a quick fix.
The Current Landscape of IVF Costs
For many families, the steep fees associated with IVF have been a significant barrier. A single cycle can cost anywhere from $12,000 to $25,000, and multiple cycles are often required before achieving a successful pregnancy. Currently, these fees remain unchanged, meaning patients still face high costs when seeking fertility treatment.
Critics of the order point out that without concrete measures—such as mandating insurance coverage or directly subsidizing the treatments—the executive order may ultimately prove symbolic. However, supporters argue that this initiative is a crucial first step that could, over time, lead to policies making IVF more accessible and affordable for those in need.
What Could Change in the Future
If the policy recommendations produced over the next 90 days are implemented, we might see:
Insurance Reforms: Pressure on insurance companies to offer more comprehensive coverage for IVF, which could shift a significant part of the cost burden away from patients.
Regulatory Adjustments: Removal or modification of existing regulations that unnecessarily drive up the cost of IVF treatments, potentially leading to lower fees in the long term.
Federal and State Collaboration: Legislative actions that might eventually provide federal support or mandates for IVF coverage, similar to protections seen in some states.
The Broader Implications
Trump’s order comes amid a broader context where reproductive rights and access to fertility treatments are highly politicized. While the executive order addresses the affordability of IVF, it stops short of directly altering funding or insurance mandates—an area that would likely require congressional action. This limitation has left some critics labeling the order as “toothless,” but it nevertheless marks a policy direction that could reshape the future of fertility care in the United States.
For many families, even a gradual reduction in IVF costs would be a welcome relief. By initiating this policy review, the administration is acknowledging the financial challenges faced by millions of Americans and taking the first steps toward a more inclusive and supportive reproductive health framework.
Final Thoughts
In summary, while President Trump’s executive order on IVF does not immediately impact current fees, it represents an important policy initiative aimed at reducing the high costs of fertility treatments over time. By setting a deadline for policy recommendations, the order creates an opportunity for meaningful change—provided that these recommendations lead to concrete actions by lawmakers and insurance providers.
For now, patients and advocates will be watching closely to see what proposals emerge from this review and how they might eventually lower the financial barriers to starting or growing a family.
References:
USA Today. (2025). Donald Trump signs executive order to lower cost of IVF retrieved from https://www.usatoday.com/story/money/2025/02/18/trump-ivf-executive-order/79107360007/
The New York Times. (2025). What Does Trump’s Executive Order for I.V.F. Mean? retrieved from https://www.nytimes.com/2025/02/19/us/politics/trump-ivf-executive-order.html
National Library of Medicine. (2012). Costs of infertility treatment: Results from an 18-month prospective cohort study retrieved from https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC3043157/#:~:text=Median%20per%2Dperson%20costs%20ranged,example%20%E2%80%93%20reflecting%20treatment%20success%20rates.
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