Invitro Fertilization

Senate Republicans in Washington have blocked legislation that would make it a right nationwide for women to access in vitro fertilization and other fertility treatments. The action follows February’s ruling by the Alabama Supreme Court that frozen embryos are considered “children.”

Senate Democrats are seeking to highlight Republicans' resistance to legislation that would make it a right nationwide for women to access to invitro fertilization and other fertility treatments, holding a vote on the matter Thursday as part of Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer's effort to drive an election-year contrast on reproductive care. The action follows February’s Alabama Supreme Court ruling that frozen embryos are “children.”

A ruling by Alabama’s Supreme Court is prompting action in Congress. U.S. Senator Katie Britt is co-sponsoring a bill that would protect invitro fertilization clinics.

Gambling legislation and proposed changes to the state ethics law failed to win final approval at the end of Alabama’s lawmaking session in Montgomery. Lawmakers faced a public backlash over IVF access. Clinics paused services following a state court ruling equating frozen embryos to children.

The Alabama Supreme Court on Friday declined to reconsider a controversial ruling that said frozen embryos are considered children under a state law.

Democrats in both Alabama and Florida are looking to the possible political blowback from conservative actions like the Sunshine State’s new six week abortion that takes effect starting in May. There's also the ongoing headaches from an Alabama Supreme Court ruling that frozen embryos are children. Activists in both States think reproductive rights could be a rallying cry during the November election

When the Supreme Court overturned Roe v. Wade in 2022, Republicans insisted the ruling would mostly impact those seeking abortions to end unwanted pregnancies. But that hasn't been the case. Women who never intended to end their pregnancies have nearly died because they couldn't get emergency treatment. Miscarriage care has been delayed. Routine reproductive medical care has dried up in states with strict abortion bans. And fertility treatments were temporarily paused in Alabama. As the fallout grows, so apparently does the opportunity for Democrats.

Former President Donald Trump said he believes abortion limits should be left to the states, outlining his position in a video in which he declined to endorse a national ban after months of mixed messages and speculation. Here in Alabama, its abortion law makes performing the procedure a felony with up to ninety nine years in prison for the provider. There’s an exception when there is a serious health risk to the mother.

A Democrat who made reproductive rights a centerpiece of her campaign in deep red Alabama has won a special election to the Alabama Legislature.

Kentucky legislation shielding doctors and other health providers from criminal liability was written broadly enough to apply to in vitro fertilization services, a Republican lawmaker said Friday as the bill won final passage. Alabama passed a similar measure after the State Supreme Court generated controversy by ruling the frozen embryos are “children.”