MONTGOMERY, Ala. (WHNT) — While some advocates have praised President Donald Trump’s efforts to expand IVF access as a step in the right direction, they say more needs to be done to protect these fertility treatments in the state.
That’s after an IVF immunity bill was passed by Alabama lawmakers in 2024, after the state Supreme Court ruled that frozen embryos are children with a right to life.
Veronica Wehby had her son, Ladner Upchurch, in 2020 after overcoming miscarriages and multiple pregnancy attempts using IVF. Now, she said she’s soaking in every moment with her son. “And really just be in awe of who he is as a person,” she said. “It’s a real gift to be able to see- to look at yourself and see yourself reflected in your child.”
“I have been able to be present in a lot of moments with him, mostly because I didn’t think I was ever gonna be able to get them,” said Veronica Wehby.
State lawmakers hope the cost of that gift will decrease with new efforts on the federal level. According to the White House, companies can now offer standalone benefit packages that cover IVF for employees.
President Trump has also secured an agreement with EMD Serono, a pharmaceutical company, to offer cheaper fertility drugs.
“I think it would be very important for these families to have,” said Rep. Terri Collins (R-Decatur). I think some of them actually have some of the insurance to do that. So, there may be providers out there- that more would participate in this.”
Rep. Barbara Drummond (D-Mobile) said “The cost of the drugs is just one of those issues. But there are other impediments that are getting in the way as well.”
Rep. Drummond said those impediments have to do with making IVF more accessible.
Wehby agreed.
“It’s still important for people in Alabama and in other states to keep working for IVF protection. We still need that,” said Wehby. “We still need the protected right to access these services.”
Wehby said if you know someone going through IVF, support them individually. She said there are commonalities among people walking through IVF, but every journey can be different.
The post What President Donald Trump’s IVF announcement means for Alabama appeared first on WHNT.
