Roe v. Wade overturned could impact fertility treatments and IVF

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Date: July 15^th, 2022

Overturning Roe v. Wade could have certain implications for fertility treatments and in vitro fertilization (IVF). It could lead to decreased access to affordable treatments, with restrictions on reproductive rights varying state by state. Additionally, states may ban specific critical medical interventions for successful IVF cycles, such as embryo freezing or genetic testing. These measures would effectively limit patients’ options for managing their fertility care and accessing the treatment they need. Furthermore, it could mean that insurance plans could refuse to cover fertility treatments or provide inadequate coverage levels due to a lack of regulation at a federal level.

Experts have warned that the broad language in specific state-level abortion bans could potentially infringe upon access to assisted reproductive technology such as IVF, despite Roe v. Wade not necessarily prohibiting access on its own.

In some states, the language of their laws is unintentionally impeding access to assisted reproductive technologies (ART) due to its failure to capture and represent biological reality or address topics beyond abortion.

Additionally, overturning Roe v. Wade could decrease available fertility clinics and providers, as laws regulating the practice of reproductive health care would be made at the state level rather than federally. This would limit patient access to specialized care and have potentially devastating implications for those seeking fertility treatments. Furthermore, states may also attempt to regulate the content and type of information provided to patients regarding their fertility options, which could further limit the effectiveness of reproductive health services.

If Roe is overturned, some states’ laws that grant fetuses, embryos, and fertilized eggs rights similar to those of children could change the landscape of IVF. These “personhood” bills could make disposing or freezing excess embryos legally questionable.

Ultimately, overturning Roe v. Wade could create a patchwork of state laws and regulations that would disproportionately impact people who rely on reproductive health services and fertility treatments. Such an outcome would be detrimental to those seeking to build families and access the necessary care. It is, therefore, critical to ensure that Roe v. Wade remains intact so that people can continue to make decisions about their reproductive health with dignity and autonomy.

Sacramento Association of Health Underwriters is watching to see how insurance carriers adapt to this legislation and how it will affect costs and benefits.

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For over 30 years, SAHU has worked to improve our members’ ability to meet the health, financial and retirement security needs of all Californians and Americans through education, advocacy, and professional development. For more information, please visit: sahu-ca.com.