Graham Opposes Mandate Requiring Insurance Coverage for IVF Treatment

Senator Lindsey Graham (R-S.C.) expressed his opposition on Sunday to the idea of requiring insurance companies to cover in vitro fertilization (IVF) treatments, a proposal recently put forth by former President Donald Trump.

When asked about his support for the proposal, Graham responded, “No … no, because there’s no end to that.”

Last Thursday, Trump articulated his plan to enhance access to IVF, stating that if he is elected in November, either the government or insurance companies would finance the treatments.

During an exclusive interview with NBC News, Trump said, “We are going to be — under the Trump administration, we are going to be paying for that treatment.” He clarified that this would apply to “all Americans who get it; all Americans who need it.”

He further emphasized that the administration would ensure coverage for IVF, stating, “So, we’re going to be paying for that treatment, or we’re going to be mandating that the insurance companies pay.” Although Trump did not provide specifics on how this mandate would be implemented, he affirmed his long-standing support for IVF.

In contrast to Trump’s proposal, Graham suggested a different approach, advocating for a tax credit for individuals utilizing IVF and other fertility treatments. “We have tax credits for people who have children. Maybe we should have a means-tested tax credit for people using IVF and other treatments to become pregnant,” he said. He added, “I would support a tax credit, means-tested, kind of like we do with children. That makes sense to me, to encourage people to have children.”

The South Carolina Republican emphasized that the party does not oppose birth control or IVF treatments. “I think he’s [Trump] just trying to show his support for IVF treatments that, you know, we’ve been accused, the party has, of being a bit — against birth control. We’re not. We’ve been accused of being against IVF treatments. We’re not,” Graham noted.

Graham also suggested the potential for finding “common ground” between Republicans and their Democratic counterparts regarding reproductive issues.

On the other hand, Vice President Kamala Harris’s presidential campaign criticized Trump’s commitment to funding IVF, labeling it as “one of his most brazen lies yet.”

Campaign spokesperson Sarafina Chitika stated, “Donald Trump’s own platform could effectively ban IVF and abortion nationwide. Trump lies as much, if not more, than he breathes, but voters aren’t stupid. Because Trump overturned Roe v. Wade, IVF is already under attack, and women’s freedoms have been ripped away in states across the country.”

In recent months, IVF has emerged as a significant topic for both political figures and voters, especially in light of the Alabama Supreme Court’s ruling which deemed frozen embryos and fertilized eggs as legal persons. This ruling has led to significant legal repercussions, with providers facing potential liability for the destruction of such embryos.

As a reaction to the ruling, IVF services were temporarily suspended in Alabama; however, lawmakers quickly passed legislation to address civil and criminal liability for IVF providers, allowing these services to resume.

As the 2024 election approaches, the Trump-Vance campaign, along with the broader Republican party, appears to be avoiding discussions related to abortion and reproductive rights. This strategic decision comes in response to the unpopularity of their anti-abortion agenda, which has faced backlash from voters since the overturning of Roe v. Wade two years prior.

Former President Trump has faced criticism from Democrats for his role in the reversal of Roe v. Wade in 2022, particularly as he appointed three of the justices responsible for the 6-3 majority that made the landmark decision possible.

Source: Nexstar Media, Inc.