Trump unveils a plan to secure fertility and artificial insemination medications

President Donald Trump on Thursday announced two initiatives aimed at making in vitro fertilization less expensive and accessible, marking the most significant step his administration has taken yet on an issue that has divided conservatives and become a major point in last year’s campaign to reach out to women and families.

Speaking from the Oval Office, Trump said his administration would encourage employers to offer fertility benefits directly to their employees — similar to dental or vision coverage — and unveiled a new agreement with EMD Serono, the maker of Gonal-F, one of the most widely used fertility drugs in the United States. He said the company has agreed to offer “deep discounts” on fertility drugs through a government website, TrumpRx.gov, starting next year.

“Through the actions I will outline this afternoon, we will significantly reduce the cost of in vitro fertilization and many of the most common fertility drugs for countless millions of Americans,” Trump said. “Prices are going down – way, way down.” He called the announcement a “historic victory for American women, mothers and families.”

The Department of Labor’s new guidance will make it easier for companies, including small businesses, to add fertility coverage as a supplemental benefit, without overhauling their primary health insurance plans, the department said. The White House does not mandate participation, and will not support employers who choose to offer coverage.

“With what we signed, Americans will be able to sign up for specialty coverage, just like they get vision and dental insurance, they can get fertility insurance for the first time,” Trump said. He claimed that fertility coverage “will reduce the number of people who will eventually need to resort to IVF, because couples will be able to identify and address problems early.”

“The result will be healthier pregnancies, healthier babies, and many more beautiful American babies,” Trump added.

Just about One in four Large employers currently provide in vitro fertilization coverage, according to a report by KFF, a nonprofit research organization, and very few states require insurance companies to cover fertility treatments. While some insurance plans do include such benefits, most patients pay out of pocket for procedures that can cost between $15,000 to $25,000 per cycle, and often require multiple rounds.

Trump said the new drug pricing deal would cut the cost of Gonal-F and other fertility drugs by up to 73%. EMD Serono said in a statement That “eligible patients” will be able to purchase fertility drugs at an 84% discount from list price.

However, it is still unclear to what extent lower drug prices will reduce the overall cost of IVF, since drugs are only one component of the procedure. Patients also must pay for ultrasounds, anesthesia, lab work, and embryo storage, costs that together can exceed $20,000 per round.

This announcement represents a partial fulfillment of a promise Trump made during his 2024 election campaign, when he announced that his administration would ensure that all Americans have access to fertility treatment. “Under the Trump administration, we will pay for this treatment,” he said in a statement. Interview August 2024 With NBC News. “We will make the insurance company pay.”

Trump has repeatedly highlighted infertility as a family issue, describing his approach as a way to build and expand American families. The issue took on new importance for Republicans last year, after the Alabama Supreme Court ruled that frozen embryos created through in vitro fertilization should be considered children — a decision that prompted some clinics to temporarily halt operations and forced GOP leaders to clarify their positions. Trump quickly distanced himself from the ruling and urged Alabama lawmakers to protect access to IVF.